Orthodox Church History
Historical Jesus
Hellenic Foundation
Early Life in the Church
Constantine the Great
Church of the Seven Councils
The Great Schism
How did the Crusades Impact the East?
Attempts at Reunion
Reformation
Church in America

Who is God?

How do We Know God?
Where do we get Knowledge of God?
What does the Bible tell us About God?
God’s Uncreated energies
Holy Trinity: What does this doctrine tell us about God?
What are practical benefits of doctrine of Holy Trinity?
What is “Filioque” ?
How are we to interpret Genesis?
How was the world Created?
How was Man Created?
Do You know your Soul?

42

Creation

54

What is the Fall of Mankind?
Paradise
What went wrong in Paradise?
What are the consequences of the first sin?
What is evil?
What is “original sin”?

64

How are We Saved?

How did God prepare us for our salvation?
How did our salvation begin?
Why did God send His Son?
What is difference between general and personal salvation?
What is meant when we say Christ conquered death?
How did Christ establish the Church for our benefit?
What are the conditions for our personal salvation?
What are we to do?
Death and Final Judgment
Orthodox Way of Life
Baptism is the beginning

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What is the Orthodox Way of Life?

81

2

How do we grow spiritually?
What is repentance or metanoia?
Aim: Union with God

Mysteries or Sacraments of the Church
Baptism
Chrismation
Eucharist - Holy Communion
How do I prepare for Holy Communion?
Ten ways to participate in worship
Orthodox Church etiquette
Candles
Repentance - Holy Confession
Preparing for Confession
Questions for self-examination
Holy Unction
Holy Matrimony
The marriage service
Guidelines for marriage at Saint George
Ordination and the Orders of the Holy Priesthood

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Ascetic Practices

What are the passions?
What are the virtues?
What does the New testament say about ascetic practices?
How do I outwardly order my life?
How should I pray?
Personal Prayer
A regular time
A private place
Praying
Jesus Prayer
Why do we pray for the dead?
Why do we include the saints in our prayer?
A sample prayer rule
What is corporate prayer?
How should I fast?
What is the importance of the Liturgical cycle of the Church?
What are Major Feast days?
What is the Annual Cycle?
What is the Weekly and Daily cycle?
How do I study the Bible?

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End Notes

158

Information in this manual is put together for the private educational use of the members of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral,402 N. Academy Street, Greenville, South Carolina, phone: 864-233-8531, email: stg281@bell south.net, website: www.stgeorgegreenville.org, Contact: Fr Dn Haralambos (Charles) Joiner

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thus in Christ deified human nature is at the right hand of the Father.15). which is to say communion with God. which is purification of the `image'. Thus Orthodoxy cannot be characterized as the ‘opium of the people'.. it is vision of the uncreated Light. the "relationship of the `I' to the Absolute Thou". God is usually visualized as dwelling in heaven and directing human history from there: He is extremely exacting. This means that Christ does not simply dwell in heaven and direct history and the lives of men from there. Again. the church" (1:18) and to his disciple Timothy: ". But Christianity is something higher than these interpretations and theories.. the spiritual life is a dynamic journey. There are many places in the New Testament where Christianity is called the Church. God is not the Absolute Thou.. sanctifies and transforms societies. present and future are essentially lived in one unbroken unity.3.Introduction What is Christianity?
Many people see Christianity as one of the numerous philosophies and religions known from antiquity. man feels powerless in the universe and needs a mighty God to help him in his weakness. transforms biological life. In this communion all the problems which present themselves in our life are truly resolved.
4
. In Christianity the future is lived in the present and the kingdom of God begins in this life. precisely because it does not postpone the problem.. He assumed human nature and deified it. In this way strong powers put pressure on the people by means of religion. by God Himself to man… Christianity cannot be regarded as a religion. Various religious rites are employed for this purpose. Moreover. We Orthodox are not waiting for the end of history and the end of time. the kingdom of God is the grace of the Triune God. In this view God does not create man. but a living Person Who is in organic communion with man. Yet again. many regard religion as a means whereby the people are deluded into transferring their hopes to the future life. So Christ is our life and we are ‘members of Christ'. it cannot be contained within the usual conception and definition of religion given in the "natural" religions. The main difference between Christianity and philosophy is that the latter is human thinking. The first is that Christianity is mainly a Church. It offers life. This has to be surmounted by man. According to another view.so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God. ‘Church' means ‘Body of Christ'. of heavenly and earthly.16:18) and the words of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians: "And he is the head of the body. but man creates God. that is to say. There is a wall of separation between God and man. We shall only mention Christ's words: "You are Peter.. Christianity does not simply transfer the problem to the future or await the delight of the kingdom of heaven after history and after the end of time. Certainly Christianity is not a philosophy. and religion is a very effective help. Where Orthodoxy is lived in the right way and in the Holy Spirit. it is to be expected that some of them understand Christianity as religion in the sense referred to above. Anyway it must be made clear that even when we still speak of Christianity as a religion we must do it with certain necessary presuppositions. religion is conceived as man's relationship to the Absolute God. Therefore past. St. but He is united with us.. It begins with baptism. Since the membership of the Church includes [spiritually] sick people and beginners in the spiritual life. the pillar and ground of the truth" (1Tim. Moreover. as religion presents itself today.. who has fallen to earth in his sickness and weakness. which is the church of the living God. According to the patristic interpretation.. while Christianity is a revelation. So the eternal embraces us at every moment of time. seeking satisfaction from man. but through living in Christ we are running to meet the end of history and thus already living the life expected after the Second Coming. and on this rock I will build my church" (Matt. This is so-called condensed time.. and continues through ascetic living aimed at attaining `likeness'. of the living and the dead. it is a communion of God and men. Symeon the New Theologian says that he who has seen the uncreated light and united with God is not awaiting the Second Coming of the Lord but living it.

The Book of Revelation says that
John the Evangelist saw a river of the water of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. purification must previously have taken place. and the Church as a Hospital. For "every sin brings bruises and wounds". that is.38:5). but mainly healing. pouring on oil and wine. we can speak of religion. that is. is weak: "When you thus sin against the breth-
heavenly state to the state of the devil's deception. and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart.. making them whole through the admonitions and exhortations of the Old and New Testaments..1:26-27). who came down from heaven to
ren. and paralytics. wine provides the astringent lotion. The wounds which he sustained are the various sins. that is..and moreover these acts of worship also aim towards man's purification . and he fell among thieves.. and those who were demonpossessed. and for this vision not to be a consuming fire but a life-giving light. Here Christ is presented as a physician who heals man's illnesses. Christ treated the wounded
man and brought him to the inn. and he set him on his own animal. distributing the bread of offering to each one. and he healed them" (Matt. especially of simple ones. while the bishops and priests. this one's religion is useless.. Christianity without purification is utopia. to the Hospital which is the Church.8:12). These truths also appear in many other places in the New Testament. the devil and the hostile powers".
In St.The second presupposition is that the aim of the Christian is to attain the blessed state of deification. like the Apostle Paul. and to keep oneself unspotted from the world"
(Jas. putting on them a stone plaster. According to another interpretation. brought him to an inn and took care of him" (Luk.. the instruction which brings concentration to the scattered mind"..10:33f). The Apostle Paul is well aware
that the conscience of men. you sin against Christ" (ICor. especially when we are seeing to our healing.22:1f)…. "by mixing the Holy Spirit with his blood. However. The Lord said: "Those who are well
passion on him and went to him and bandaged his wounds. this universal Church". he brought life to man". "My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness" ( Ps. When the Christian participates in worship without undergoing lifegiving purification . He set him upon his own animal: "Taking flesh upon his own divine shoulders.." . he lifted it towards the Father in Heaven".healing all kinds of sickness and all
kinds of disease among the people. as a physician of souls and bodies. he "had com-
"through Paul to the high priests and teachers and ministers of each church". It is the healing of a person's passions so that he may attain communion and union with God. and wound their weak conscience. in order to reach the likeness.
John Chrysostom. but those who are sick"
(Matt.
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. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord showed us several truths.and they brought to him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments. was ". the prophetic sayings and the gospel teachings.9:12). Paul is the one who upholds the churches of God "and heals all men through spiritual
admonitions. are the healers of the people of God. Man went down "from the
have no need of a physician. John Chrysostom's interpretation of this parable it is clearly evident that the Church is a Hospital which heals those sick with sin. saying: "Take care of the people of the Gentiles whom I have given to you in the Church. Since men are sick. led the man "into the wonderful and spacious inn. heal them. As David says. wounded by sin." So according to St. Thereupon the good Samaritan.then he is not really living within the Church. who is the Apostle Paul and
among you thinks he is religious. It is very characteristic that in analyzing this parable St. to attain the vision of God. Deification is identical with `likeness'. This purification and healing is the Church's work. As soon as the Samaritan saw the man who had fallen among thieves who had wounded him and left him half dead.and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Rev. Likewise Christ. This abstinence gives us the right to claim that Christianity is neither philosophy nor ‘natural' religion. Christ. "On either side of the river was the tree of
life. to be like God. That is to say. John Chrysostom presents the truths which we have just emphasized. "oil brings the comfort-
ing word. And this accords with the words of the Lord's brother James: "If anyone
earth to heal wounded man. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble. The Samaritan
is Christ Himself. epileptics. He used wine and oil for the wounds.4:23f). So when we are being purified. He gave
him to the innkeeper.

All who are not in a state of illumination are sick in soul.It
is not only good will.” These stages of healing are the purpose of the Orthodox Way of Life. "The Fathers do not categorize people as moral and immoral or good and bad on the basis of moral laws. those undergoing treatment.
By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos of Nafpaktos.So in the Church we are divided into the sick. This division is superficial.. those being healed and those healed. At depth humanity is differentiated into the sick in soul.. moral practice and devotion to the Orthodox Tradition which make an Orthodox.who have already been healed. illumination and deification. good resolve. but also purification. from Orthodox Psychotherapy
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.saints . and those .

The Greeks played a significant role in this preparation. The Orthodox Church is known as the Church of the Seven Councils.
Historical Jesus
How do you know that the life of Jesus is not just a story that the Church made up?
Hellenic Foundation
What role did the Greeks play in the establishment of Christianity?
Early Life in the Church
What was it like to be an early Christian?
Constantine the Great
Why did the Church give Constantine the title of Constantine the Great? Does a ruthless ruler of the empire deserve such a title?
Church of the Seven Councils
What is the signiﬁcance of the Ecumenical Councils?
The Great Schism
What caused the split of the Church between East and West?
Attempts at Reunion
Will the Church ever be reunited?
Reformation
What role did the Orthodox Church play in the Reformation in the 16th Century?
Church in America
How was the Greek Orthodox Church brought to America?
7
. We now observe many branches of Christianity. The answer to this question provides the basis of our Orthodox Christian faith.Chapter 1
Orthodox Church History
What is the basis of Christian faith? How did the Church start and survive throughout the ages of political turmoil? How can we be sure that we are following the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. After all. He earned the title of “Great” that only a few saints have been given by the Church. What did he do to deserve this title? After all. God took special steps to prepare the way to the Incarnation of His Son. Next.
We begin our exploration of the history of the Orthodox Church by asking the question. it was a well established pagan world controlled by the strong political and military system of the Roman Empire. Life in the Church was significantly changed during the reign of Constantine. he was a ruthless ruler of a massive political empire. Why is this important? In understanding this we will find out how the Orthodox faith has been preserved throughout history amidst many political forces. we examine the role that the Hellenic culture played in the establishment of Christianity. How did this split begin? How did the eastern and western churches split after being in union as one church for over a thousand years? What attempts have there been to reunify the church? Will it ever be brought back into one Church? Finally we will briefly look at some of the factors that led to the Orthodox Church being brought here to the United states. What was it like to be an early Christian? How could a small group of zealots proclaim the good news of the Gospel and change the world. It tells us why we claim to be the church with the truth of Christianity in its fullest. How do we know that the life of Jesus is not just a story that the Church made up? In this day and secular age we are taught to be skeptical especially of things promoted by large institutions.

by order of the procurator Pontius Pilatus. the most famous Jewish historian. whose disgraceful activities were notorious." (Antiquities. It is called the Pantocrator. so named from him.
This is one of the oldest known icons of Christ. This means the Almighty or All-powerful or the Ruler of All. and handed them over to be stoned. Book 20. where all the nasty and disgusting ideas from all over the world pour in and find a ready following. whom he accused of having broken the law. had been executed when Tiberius was Emperor. His history book. and treated with the most extreme punishments. and the tribe of Christians. He had brought before them the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ. He changed sides and became the Roman Emperor's adviser on Jewish aﬀairs. who was called James. not a follower of Jesus. for he was a performer of wonderful deeds.Jesus Christ Pantocrator
Historical Jesus How do we know that the life of Jesus is not just a story that the Church made up?
Tacitus. It is thought to have been created in the ﬁfth century. Flavius Josephus (37-98 CE). but even throughout Rome.” (Annals 15:44). Christ here is Christ the Teacher: the gesture of Christ's right hand is not the gesture of blessing. When Pilate. are not extinct to this day." (Antiquities. a wise man. describes Palestine in the time of Jesus. though checked for a time. had condemned him to the cross.) He also said that the High Priest Ananias had: "Convened the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish religious court/ governing body). those who had loved him at the ﬁrst did not forsake him. Book 18. It is in the Monastery of Saint Catherine at the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt. Christus. Some historians think one part that talks about Jesus had been added to. 63-64. a Roman historian who wrote Annals in 115 CE. He won over many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. But the deadly cult. is considered one of the more accurate historians of the ancient world. With these extra bits taken away they think Josephus wrote: "About this time there lived Jesus. a teacher of such men as are happy to accept the truth. The originator of that name. 200). Antiquities of the Jews. was now breaking out again not only in Judea. There is no question that historically Jesus existed.
8
. He wrote: "To dispel the rumor that the fire was started by Nero. popularly known as Christians. Historians do not believe this second passage has been changed. only 30 years after the Crucifixion of Christ. but the orator's gesture. some people. Nero substituted as culprits. This means there were a significant number of Christians in
Rome in 64AD. the birthplace of this evil. and some other men. at the suggestion of the leading men among us. was a Jewish zealot.

This canon gained wider and wider recognition until it was formally accepted at the Third Council of Carthage in 397.
Contrary to popular misconception. in a letter written to his churches in Egypt (Festal Letter 39). The authenticity of the New Testament is vastly better documented than any other document of the same time. bureaucratic Church council meetings. In the ﬁrst three centuries of the Christian Church. There are papyri containing most of the New Testament from the third century. For the true meaning of the Gospel we rely on the early church fathers interpretations and the clarification handed down by the Ecumenical councils. early Christians were referring to the entire set of writings as the "New Covenant. only 40 lines are in doubt (about 400 words). It has never been changed or translated. there seems to have been no New Testament canon that was universally recognized.
9
. Biblical scholars say that our New Testament is 99. which contains most of what we know about Jesus. There is a fragment of John’s Gospel from AD 139. Peter and Jude." There exist full manuscripts of the New Testament as early as 350. These authors quote from 31 books of the Old Testament.000 Latin manuscripts. including Matthew.000 citations of the New Testament in the writings of the early church fathers. The New Testament was produced under the guidance of the early church. wrote the Gospels. Coptic. In our Liturgy the priest will usually read the Gospel in both Greek and an English translation.5% textually pure. We know that He performed many miracles including raising people from death. We know that he came to us for our benefit. for our salvation and eternal life in heaven. There are over 5. but rather developed very slowly over many centuries.000 lines. which is the same as the Orthodox Church. as it is now. We know that he taught us about the way to salvation. The New Testament canon. James. over 10. Luke. Georgian and so forth. and 9. The Orthodox Church used the same book to this day in the original Greek in which it was written. John. and widely circulate their material so that by about 150 AD. which is about the same time as the Church officially compiled the New Testament in 367. has not been changed over the years?
Starting in about 40 AD. the eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus. There are over 36.300 other manuscripts including those in Syriac. and none affects any significant doctrine.New Testament Canon
How do we know that the Bible. Paul. Mark.000 Greek manuscripts. the New Testament canon was not summarily decided in large.
What do we Know about Jesus from these texts?
We know that He had a miraculous birth from a holy virgin woman. In the entire text of 20. was ﬁrst listed by Saint Athanasius. letters and books that became the Bible's New Testament. Bishop of Alexandria in 367. There is no doubt about the authenticity of the New Testament. Armenian. and continuing to about 90 AD.

We know that a soldier would never take a body down unless the person was dead. This is the site of the actual burial of Christ. On the day of Pentecost.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. His Apostles were transformed when they received the Holy Spirit and began converting thousands and organizing the Church. ten days later. The Apostles all set about to teach the Good News of the Gospel. If he did and the prisoner escaped the soldier would be subject to a penalty of death. They did so in what was a hostile world. We also know that when the soldier pierced Christ’s body there was a flow of water and blood. It was closed with a 2.
The tomb of Jesus was continually guarded.000 pound stone making it impossible for even a healthy man to open it from the inside. how do we know that He was truly resurrected? Are there any plausible conspiracy theories?
Icon of the Cruciﬁxion with Mary on the left and John on the right. After forty days of His resurrection.
Could His body have been stolen from the tomb?
Maybe the disciples stole his body. which is a clear indication that there was a separation of clot and serum.We know that He fulfilled over three hundred Old Testament prophecies.
Tomb stone like the one which would have been used to close Christʼs tomb. Could they have stolen the body? But if this were so. But how could they even think of this when they were depressed and disillusioned and fled from the scene of the Crucifixion out of fear for their own lives. So. We saw that they needed something extraordinary to transform them into men with the force that Peter showed at Pentecost when thousands of people were converted. It is not reasonable to assume that they would undertake this mission in the face of their own death based on a lie.
How about the authorities. In the end they all were martyred except for John. Central to the Gospel story is His death and resurrection along with His promise that we too will be resurrected.
10
.
Maybe Jesus was not dead when taken from the Cross and escaped from the tomb. We know that he was cruelly crucified and then resurrected. why wouldn’t they have produced the body when trying to squash the rumor that He was resurrected. which is strong medical evidence of death. we know that He ascended into heaven with the promise to send the Holy Spirit.

In fact. teaching them many things about the Kingdom of Heaven. The ﬁrst church at the site was built by Helena. The Apostles did not have doubts about Christ’s Resurrection. Further. They did act dramatically to convert thousands in a harsh Jewish and pagan world. They did not waiver in the face of their own deaths and persecutions. The Orthodox Church has continually existed for 2. they came into the appearances not wishfully hoping to see Christ.
Reality
Jesus Christ was Resurrected to save us and show us the way to eternal life. they would all have had to be hallucinating. the church was rebuilt in much its present form by the Emperor Justinian around 529 AD. He ate fish. The Church of the Nativity is thus one of the oldest Christian churches in existence.Church of the Nativity In Bethlehem
Could Christ’s appearances have been hallucinations?
The disciples were very stable individuals. Later destroyed. the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.
Wishful thinking on the part of the disciples is highly unlikely even in light of their initial hopefulness and enthusiasm. He did dramatically arise into Heaven and then on Pentecost empowered the Apostles by the Holy Spirit that He told them He would send.
Christ was born in a cave in Bethlehem. wishful thinking would not stand up in the threats of death and all the trials and tribulations that they later had to face. He demanded evidence. tax collectors and skeptics like Thomas.000 years teaching the truths as taught by Him and His Apostles. The Apostles did form the Church and gave it structure. There are over a billion people today who know Jesus as the way to salvation and eternal life. They were burly fishermen. Further. They would not fit a psychological profile of one likely to have hallucinations. He held long conversations with them. they were not easily convinced as Christ had to scold them on their faith. which Christ gave to him. but disbelieving those who did. But.
The Bottom Line: Our Faith
There is no doubt about:
Chapel at Cave where Christ was born
The historical existence of Christ His virgin birth His teaching His death by crucifixion His Resurrection The establishment of His Church by His Apostles
Orthodoxy holds these truths in the fullest. He could be touched. Jesus appeared to His disciples eleven times on different occasions over a period of six weeks. sometime around 326 AD. a 2nd century Christian apologist.
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. Saint Thomas is the best example. Justin Martyr. The cave site was 'identiﬁed' by St.

Christianity demands as a ﬁrst step a total faith in God as the Holy Trinity: Father. and He suffered and was buried. through whom all things were made. And in the Holy Spirit. On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And in one Lord. the Almighty. not created. holy. and His Cruciﬁxion and Resurrection as told to us in the Gospels. Jesus Christ. the Giver of Life. the Father. who spoke through the prophets. and apostolic Church. of one essence with the Father. Jesus Christ. the only begotten Son of God. His kingdom will have no end. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. begotten. And the life of the age to come. He was cruciﬁed for us under Pontius Pilate. who was both fully human and fully God. For us and for our salvation. He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.
Faith
Our Christian journey begins with FAITH. and of all things visible and invisible.
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. begotten of the Father before all ages. Creator of heaven and earth. Amen. the Lord. who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and gloriﬁed. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Son and Holy Spirit. Light of Light. catholic. true God of true God. who proceeds from the Father.The Creed
I believe in one God. In one. Faith involves the acceptance of the full truth of the story of the Incarnate God.

. By the 6th century BC the Greeks had spread over a large geographical area. It was in the 8th century BC that the inﬂuence of Greece began to be felt throughout the Mediterranean. They thrived in commerce. Athens became a commercial power at this time. Then they extended West to the west coasts of Illyria.
13
.
About 480BC was when King Leonides. Greek was the preferred language of the civilized world. This is when the Greek alphabet was created. Xerxes attacked Athens. It reached an economic hight in the 4th century BC where Ancient Greece was clearly the most advanced economy in the world. Sicily and southern Italy. the Sea of Marmara and the south coast of the Black Sea. the Persians took over many of the Greek cities along the coast of Asia Minor and threatened to take over all of the Greek cities.C. but Themistocles evacuated the city by sea and defeated the Persian ﬂeet at the battle of Salmis.
Hellenic Foundation What role did the Greeks play in the establishment of Christianity?
At the time of Jesus. They organized themselves into independent communities. The Athenians then chased the Persians out of the Aegean and captured Byzantium forming a strong alliance with City and Island states.Persian Wars
In the mid 6th century B. delayed the Persiansʼ assault by Xerxes at the battle of Thermopylae. It was the common language of trade and intellectual writings. the hero in the movie 300. This was followed by Cyprus and the coasts of Thrace. They began to expand and to establish colonies. The Aegean coast of Asia Minor was ﬁrst colonized. It was a year later when the Greeks led by a Spartan named Pausanius defeated the Persian army at Plataea.

Coptic and Latin alphabet. The Saducees used Greek in communication with roman authorities who used Greek among themselves. Persia and Bactria were established. He died in 323 BC. In 334 BC he conquered all of Persia and went as far as what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan and on to Punjab. The language He probably most commonly used was Aramaic. When Jesus spoke to Pilate He most likely spoke in Greek. His empire broke up soon after his death. There were thousands of Greeks who traveled with him or followed his conquests to settle in new Greek cities that he founded.
Greek Alphabet
Greek was the ﬁrst alphabet that used a separate symbol for each vowel and consonant. It started as a radical modiﬁcation of the Phonecian alphabet and gave rise to the Gothic. The Greek language was the official language in trade.
14
. Syria. Glagolitic. administration and literature. Greek speaking kingdoms in Egypt. It is also the oldest alphabet in use today. This was the beginning of what is known by historians as the Hellenic age. This was likely the language that was used in the Jewish synagogues at that time.
One of the features of the Greek society was the differing roles of men and women and the lack of distinction based on birth. One of the most important was Alexandria. The Pharisees most likely spoke both Aramaic and Greek. Cryillic. but his conquests permanently changed the Greek world. The way of life of the Athenians was spread. The Greek in common use during the time of Christ is called Koine (common) Greek.Alexander the Great
The Most significant spread into the world where Christianity was to be born was the result of the conquests of Alexander the Great.

and after the death of Justinian. Paul went on to Cyprus which is still a Greek speaking nation. Athens and Corinth. His second journey Paul visited Antioch and then headed up through the middle of Asia Minor and then into Macedonia. Finally Paul went to Rome. 4 Latins and 2 Hebrews (Epistle to the Romans 16. In the letter that Paul wrote to the Roman Christians he gives his regards to 18 people with a Greek name. not Latins. which is now part of Modern Greece. This letter was also written in Greek.Greek . This conﬁrms that most Roman Jews were culturally Greek. This is where the followers of Christ were first called Christians.5-16). In the eastern half of the Roman Empire. which later became the Byzantine Empire. Berea. and then into what is now Turkey. Thessalonica. Greek became the ofﬁcial language of the Byzantine government. He visited Neapolis. Phillipi and back along the coast of Asia Minor. Latin was never able to replace Greek.
The Roman world was one that was heavily influenced by the Hellenic culture and language.
While Latin remained the main written language of the Roman Empire. as most of the literature studied by Romans was written in Greek.
15
. most of the 534 names are Greek: 405 (76%). His third journey started in Antioch and then through Asia Minor to Ephesus.a common language even in Rome. Greek came to be the language spoken by the well-educated elite. which was established after the conquest of Alexander the Great as a Greek city.
Where did Paul Journey?
Paul’s first Journey was to Antioch. Phillipi. From there he went back to Aisa Minor to the city of Ehpesus and then back to Israel and Caesarea. over to Greece and Thessalonica then to Corinth and back to Thessalonica . In Jewish catacomb inscriptions in Rome. Returning to Caesarea. The Roman populace overwhelmingly spoke Greek.

He is also the brother of Peter. Today. He studied Theology as an undergraduate at the Patriarchal Theological school. Clement explicitly states that the apostles both appointed bishops as successors and had directed that these bishops should in turn appoint their own successors. To make sure that the apostles’ teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles. Bartholomew pursued graduate studies at the Pontiﬁcal Oriental Institute of Rome. His doctoral research was on Canon Law.
Apostolic succession is a major point for Orthodoxy. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew occupies the First Throne of the Orthodox Christian Church worldwide. Clement defends the authority and prerogatives of a group of "elders" or "bishops" in the Corinthian Church which had. He is also the Apostle that we trace our Apostolic tradition back to. In October 1991 he was elected as the 270th Archbishop of the Orthodox Church founded by Saint Andrew. Germany. Halki seminary. Historian Eusebius tells us that Andrew preached in Asia Minor and along the Black Sea as far as Volga and Kiev. something that is impossible in Protestant denominations. been deposed and replaced by the congregation on its own initiative. In the Epistle of St. In this passage he refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession .
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. Bartholomew was born in the village of Aghios Theodoros (Άγιος Θεόδωρος in Greek. 2:2). the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey (Switzerland) and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich. He is. given this. In 38 AD he founded the See at Byzantium. He is the 270th Patriarch . therefore. The test was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants. Timothy’s generation. which later became the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Paul told Timothy.his own generation. such leaders of the Church were not to be removed without cause and not in this way.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
The title “Ecumenical Patriarch” dates from the sixth century and historically belongs to the Archbishop of Constantinople exclus i v e l y. and the generation Timothy will teach. Apostolic succession is the line of bishops stretching back to the apostles. presiding in historical honor and fraternal spirit among all Orthodox Primates. The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. He traveled through Greece and was martyred in Patras. our Ecumenical Patriarch is Bartholomew. "What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. also the patron saint of Romania and Russia.Saint Andrew Apostolic Succession
Saint Andrew is the first called of the Apostles. All over the world. A s A r c h b i s h o p o f Constantinople-New Rome. Clement to the Church at Corinth. all Orthodox bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles. written around 96 AD. apparently. Our Bishop Metropolitan Alexios in Atlanta can trace his ordination directly back to Saint Andrew. The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine which was the true Church and which doctrines were the true teachings of Christ. In this context. in Turkish Zeytinli köyü) on Imbros.

But.
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. They stoned him until he was dead. Now. from the earliest days of the Church the risks of being a Christian. He was a roman soldier. to do this was a dangerous task. and living a very self-controlled life. The emperor at that time required that everyone pay tribute to him and his gods. They were very devout when compared to our modern day life as a Christian. He was brought to the council and accused of saying “blasphemous words against Moses and God. People saw the incredible faith they had in what they were teaching. By his faith many more of his soldier comrades became Christians.
Saint George
The patron Saint of our Cathedral is Saint George. He was then tortured with the purpose of trying to get him to change his mind and to make the simple sacriﬁces to the gods of the emperor. They worshiped together regularly in the secret of their homes and later even in catacombs over the tombs of their martyrs. They saw that they were willing to stand as a true witness to Christ even in the face of death all the while giving thanks to God. In the early days after the feast of Pentecost the Jews were showing a prejudice against the Christians by not providing the widows with their normal food distribution. When this did not work he was then beheaded. They knew that there was more to the true life than the bodily life here on earth. he said he was a Christian and that these were false gods that he could not honor. brought with it the risk of unfair treatment and even death.Early Life in the Church What was it like to be an early Christian?
At Pentecost. Saint Stephen was outstanding in fulﬁlling these duties and some Jews began to accuse Stephen of speaking blasphemy and stirring up many people. George refused and when asked why. As we read the letters of Paul we also see that the early Christians were a very close community. and as others saw this. The Christians then appointed deacons to help these widows and others in need of help. The Jewish Priests had just killed God himself. He was a martyr of the Church who give his life for his faith in the early part of the fourth century. So. They were about changing the very fabric of the existing culture and the norms of the existing religious practices of the time. there was a reason for this. a believer in the story told in the Gospel. the truth of the message they were speaking spread.” Stephen’s response angered them so much that they threw him out of the city and began to stone him. owning things in common. the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and they were empowered to spread the Word to all nations. Faithful like Stephen did not waiver from their faith.

How was the Early Church Organized?
As Christianity spread the Apostles had to come up with a way to administer the Churches. The natural organization was to follow the political division then in place as part of the Roman government. This was by cities. They appointed bishops in each city to be the head of the Church. Then the bishops would have presbyters, or priests as we call them today, to help them. We know that from the earliest days of the Church that the Bishop had the ultimate authority in administrative matters. We have already mentioned deacons who were also ordained to help in the administration of Church affairs. There were also strict qualifications of those who were to be ordained as ministers of the church. They had to be temperate, have only one wife, be sensible, dignified in their behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not heavy drinkers, gentle, not greedy, not quarrelsome, able to run his own household well and well thought of by outsiders. He was not to be quick tempered, self-controlled, seen as God’s steward and have a firm hold on God’s word. They were instructed to watch over the flock as good shepherds acting as caretakers of souls being impartial to teach the and show all the way of sound doctrine. The Church was seen as a local community. A community of believers who had to work together and learn to love one anther. They were close knit groups who regularly came together to participate in the eucharist. Their purpose was worship and to support each other in living in the example of Christ. It was a local church, yet it was always the fulness of the Church. Each gathering was a gathering of the whole Church. The Church is universal with one Episcopate. There are many churches, but only one Church. It is never divided. There May be many bishops, but again there is only one episcopate. In the Orthodox Church today there are bishops, presbyters, deacons and the lay persons of the congregation. The organization is the same as it was established by the Apostles.

Metropolitan Alexios
On December 20th, 2002, Holy Diocese became the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta and His Grace, Bishop Alexios of Atlanta became His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atanta. Metropolitan Alexios was born in Anthimos Panagiotopoulos, on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1943, in Patras, Greece, to Spyridon and Angeliki Panagiotopoulos. He is the oldest of ﬁve brothers and two sisters. He graduated from the University of Athens School of Theology in 1973, and received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1977 from the Boston University School of Theology. He was enthroned as Bishop of Atlanta on May 22, 1999.

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Constantine the Great Why did the Church give Constantine the title of “ Great”? Does a ruthless ruler of the empire deserve such a title?
The emperor Constantine has been called the most important emperor of Late Antiquity. His powerful personality laid the foundations of postclassical European civilization; his reign was eventful and highly dramatic. His victory at the Milvian Bridge counts among the most decisive moments in world history, while his legalization and support of Christianity and his foundation of a 'New Rome' at Byzantium rank among the most momentous decisions ever made by a European ruler.

His Conversion
During the night before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine was commanded in a dream to place the sign of Christ on the shields of his soldiers. Lactantius and Eusebius record that he saw a brilliant light, in which he saw the cross or the monogram of Christ. Strengthened by this he advanced courageously to battle and defeated his rival. When the emperor afterwards reflected on the event it was clear to him that the cross bore the inscription: “In this sign wilt thou conquer”. A monogram combining the first letters, X and P, of the name of Christ (CHRISTOS), a form that cannot beproved to have been used by Christians before, was made one of the tokens of the standard and placed upon the Labarum . In addition, this ensign was placed in the hand of a statue of the emperor at Rome, the pedestal of which bore the inscription: "By the aid of this salutary token of strength I have freed my city from the yoke of tyranny and restored to the Roman Senate and People the ancient splendor and glory." Was this conversion a matter of political expediency rather than a religious conviction? Constantine attributed his victory to the power of "the God of the Christians" and committed himself to the Christian faith from that day on. When examined carefully there is no basis to assume this was a political act. The Christians formed only a small portion of the population, being a fifth part in the West and the half of the population in a large section of the East. Constantine's decision depended less on political or social conditions than on a personal act. Even though Constantine did not receive baptism until shortly before his death, it would be a mistake to interpret this as a lack of sincerity or commitment. In the fourth and fifth centuries Christians often delayed their baptisms until late in life.

Rise to Power
Constantine, was born at Naissus in the province of Moesia Superior, the modern Nish in Serbia, on 27 February, 272. His father was a general named Constantius, his mother a woman of humble background named Helena (later St. Helena). Upon the retirement of Dilcletian and Maximian on 1 May 305 Constantius succeeded to the rank of Augustus. When Constantius died, on 25 July 306, Constantine was at his side. The soldiers at once proclaimed him Augustus. For the next 18 years, he fought a series of battles and wars that left him first as emperor of the west, and then as supreme ruler of the Roman Empire. At the same time the Senate and the Praetorian Guard in Rome allied themselves with Maxentius, the son of Maximian proclaimed him emperor. Open hostilities between the two rivals broke out in 312, and Constantine won a decisive victory in the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge, making Constantine the sole ruler of the western half of the empire.

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Edict of Toleration
In the following year, February 313, Constantine and Licinius (Emperor of the East) met at Milan. On this occasion the two emperors formulated a common religious policy. Several months later Licinius issued an edict, which is commonly known as the Edict of Milan or Toleration of Faith. This declared that Christians and all others have freedom in the exercise of religion. Everyone might follow that religion which he considered the best. They hoped that "the deity enthroned in heaven” would grant favor and protection to the emperors and their subjects. Constantine showed equal favor to both religions. He watched over the heathen worship and protected its rights. The one thing he did was to suppress divination and magic. Without realizing the full import of his actions, Constantine granted the Church one privilege after another. As early as 313 the Church obtained immunity for its clergy, including freedom from taxation and compulsory service, and from obligatory state offices. The Church further obtained the right to inherit property, and Constantine moreover placed Sunday under the protection of the State. Constantine did much for children, slaves, and women, those weaker members of society whom the old Roman law had treated harshly. But, in this he only continued what earlier emperors had begun before him. Constantine was the first to prohibit the abduction of girls. In harmony with the views of the Church, Constantine rendered divorce more difficult. Constantine was generous in almsgiving, and adorned the Christian churches magnificently. There is no doubt that he was endowed with a strong religious sense, was sincerely pious, and delighted to be represented in an attitude of prayer, with his eyes raised to heaven. In his palace he had a chapel where he read the Bible and prayed. "Every day", Eusebius tells us, "at a fixed hour he shut himself up in the most secluded part of the palace, as if to assist at the Sacred Mysteries, and there commune with God alone ardently beseeching Him, on bended knees, for his necessities". He obeyed as strictly as possible the precepts of Christianity, observing especially the virtue of chastity, which his parents had impressed upon him; he respected celibacy, freed it from legal disadvantages, sought to ele-

vate morality, and punished with great severity the offenses against morals, which the pagan worship encouraged. He brought up his children as Christians. Thus his life became more and more Christian. He avoided any direct interference with dogma, and only sought to carry out what the synods decided. When he appeared at an ecumenical council, it was not so much to influence the deliberation and the decision as to show his strong interest and to impress the heathen. He banished bishops only to avoid strife and discord, that is, for reasons of state.

Reunification of Empire
The ultimate goal pursued by both Constantine and Licinius was sole power. The agreement of 313 had been born out of necessity, not of mutual good will. Hostilities erupted in 316. In the course of this first war between the two emperors two battles were fought. Neither side won a clear victory. A settlement left Licinius in his position as Augustus, but required him to cede to Constantine all of his European provinces other than Thrace. War erupted again in 324. Constantine defeated Licinius twice, first at Adrianople in Thrace, and then at Chrysopolis on the Bosporus. Constantine was now the sole and undisputed master of the Roman world.

First Ecumenical Council The Arian Controversy, the Council of Nicaea
Early in the fourth century a dispute erupted within the Christian church regarding the nature of the Godhead, more specifically the exact relationship of the Son to the Father. Arius, a priest in Alexandria, taught that there was a time when Christ did not exist, i.e. that he was not co-eternal with the Father, that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were three separate and distinct hypostaseis, and that the Son was subordinate to the Father, was in fact a "creature." These teachings were condemned and Arius excommunicated in 318 by a council convened by Alexander, the Bishop of Alexandria. But, that did not by any means close the matter. Ossius (or Hosius) of Cordova, Constantine's trusted spiritual advisor, failed on his mission to bring about a reconciliation. Constantine then summoned what has become known as the First Ecumenical Council of the

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successor. Bishop Alexander's deacon. 337) Constantine began to feel ill. and Burial
In the years 325-337 Constantine continued his support of the church even more vigorously than before. May 22.
walls were completed. She played a role in the building of the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem and the Church of the Eleona on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
In 326-28. the New Rome was essentially a Christian capital (and eventually the see of a patriarch). although it was revised at the Council of Constantinople in 38182. Arius was condemned. and there he was baptized. From there he proceeded to the suburbs of Nicomedia. It was built on seven hills. the Church of the Holy Apostles. and charity. may be attributed to him with a measure of certainty. Constantine himself presiding and giving the opening speech. and.church. Helen also is the one who recovered the True Cross. and its people received subsidized grain. Constantine without question began the construction of two major churches in Constantinople. resembled the Old Rome. has become known as the Nicene Creed. His decision to establish a new capital in the East ranks in its far-reaching consequences with his decision to adopt Christianity. on the day of Pentecost. On 8 November 324. but the Church of the Holy Sepulcher seems to have been an undertaking of Constantine alone. A few weeks later. still wearing the white robes of a Christian neophyte. The New Rome. His body was escorted to Constantinople and lay in state in the imperial palace. humility. It affirms the Homoousion. secretary. In the course of her journey Helen impressed Eusebius of Caesarea and others by her piety. roughly quadrupling its territory. By 328 the new
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. Shortly after Easter (April 3. Helen undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. and the importance of Rome as a center of government had thus been considerably reduced. Constantine went far beyond this when he refounded the ancient Greek city of Byzantium as Constantinople and made it the capital of the empire. controlled traffic through the Bosporus.
Final Years . both by generous gifts of money and by specific legislation. now named Helenopolis in honor of his mother. Milan. Constantine died at Nicomedia. Among his numerous church foundations the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Golden Octagon in Antioch deserve to be singled out. the foundation of a third. he was more inclined to suppress paganism. A major role at the council was played by Athanasius. The new capital enjoyed a most favorable location which afforded easy access to both the Balkan provinces and the eastern frontier. as both Eusebius and Jerome report. while in other cases temple treasures were confiscated and the proceeds fed into the imperial treasury. where he prayed at the tomb of his mother's favorite saint. Thessalonike. Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) and Hagia Eirene (Holy Peace). i. we know of some specific pagan temples. Death. both in its physical features and in its institutions. and Nicomedia had served as imperial residences. which were torn down upon his orders. as he himself had
The New Rome
During the First Tetrarchy Trier. the martyr Lucian. ultimately. He traveled to Drepanum. and met all conditions for favorable economic development. the doctrine of consubstantiality. and on 11 May 330 the new city was formally dedicated. Unlike the Old Rome.e. The opening session was held on 20 May 325 in the great hall of the palace at Nicaea. The council formulated a creed. Constantine formally laid out the boundaries of his new city. it had a senate. His sarcophagus was then placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles. At the same time. which was filled with pagan monuments and institutions. less than two months after his victory over Licinius at Chrysopolis. which.

which we still use to this day. and additionally has a feast day of his own.
The Verdict
So does he deserve the title of Great? He liberated the Christians from persecution and gave the empire a Christian set of values. He also established the weekly cycle with Sunday designated for the worship of Jesus. He moved the capital of the empire to a more defensible location. he shares a feast day. The first council formulated the creed. He called the First
Ecumenical Council of the Church establishing the pattern by which the Church formally dealt with deviations from the teachings of the Apostles. with his mother Helen. By treating the Church clerics with the status of imperial administrators. In the Orthodox Church Constantine is regarded a saint. May 21. In addition to his conversion to Christianity he was a great ruler uniting the Roman Empire and looking after the welfare of all the peoples of the empire. making him symbolically the thirteenth Apostle. which quickly became the center of Christianity and the wealthiest city in the world. it was surrounded by the memorial steles of the Twelve Apostles.directed. a union between Church and state was established that was to last throughout the Byzantine Empire.
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. September 3.

We see here in operation a process that is sometimes referred to today as consensus decision making. It was called to resolve a disagreement within the early Church between those who desired that all should observe the traditional rules of Judaism and those represented by Paul. Constantinople II 553 Reconﬁrmed the Doctrines of the Trinity and of Christ. Decisions were made based on the the way the Apostles first made decisions regarding the dogma of the Church. yet beyond rational and is a decision made collectively by holy persons through whom the Holy Spirit is actively working. It is rational.Seven Ecumenical Councils
I. V. Ephesus 431 Deﬁned Christ as the Incarnate Word of God and Mary as Theotokos. deﬁning the divinity of the Son of God. Chalcedon 451 Deﬁned Christ as Perfect God and Perfect Man in One Person. There was an intense argument that occurred in Antioch and it was decided to go to Jerusalem and discuss it with the council of Apostles. It was a process called conciliarity. Constantinople III 680 Afﬁrmed the True Humanity of Jesus by insisting upon the reality of His human will and action. James who was serving as the head of the council summarized the discussion and gave the final decision. For they were all of the Holy Spirit.
Conciliarity means that the supreme authority in the Church lies in the Ecumenical Council. Here it was discussed. Originally it was a council of the Apostles. Nicea I 325 Formulated the First Part of the Creed. VII.
The Apostles showed us how to make a decision in the church. deﬁning the divinity of the Holy Spirit. IV. VI. All listened with an ear of discernment. Constantinople I 381 Formulated the Second Part of the Creed. II. The first church council in history is often referred to as the Council of Jerusalem. who did not believe that there was such a necessity. III. It is described in Acts 15. The central issue was circumcision of the Gentiles. It is this method that the process of the Ecumenical councils are based as well as all other synodal actions in the Church. Nicea II 787 Afﬁrmed the propriety of icons as genuine expressions of the Christian Faith. Finally.
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.
The Church of the Seven Councils What is the significance of the Ecumenical Councils?
Principle of Conciliarity
The early Church did not have a hierarchal decision making process like the western Church has today. This later became the Ecumenical Council of all bishops of the church. The idea of conciliarity is the supreme authority lies in the action of a council.

the territory he governs. the Bishop of Constantinople was given the title as patriarch and considered to be first in honor among the others except for Rome which was to be first in honor among equals. Then the First Ecumenical Council acknowledged Jerusalem as a patriarchate. after Constantinople had become the functional capital of the Roman Empire. only gradually. Patriarchate (Greek patriarcheia) is the derived word meaning a patriarch's ofﬁce. All such titles became technical terms. These were affirmed as Church canons later in the 6th and 7th council. see. or. episcopate. that of the chief bishops who ruled over metropolitans as metropolitans over their suffragan bishops.Patriarchates
Patriarch comes from the Greek “patriarches. most often.
The map above shows the location of these important centers of the church. and diocese in relation to a bishop. ofﬁcial titles. one in the major cities of Antioch and Alexandria. Then by the Second Ecumenical Council. which may of come from this gathering. Gradually the word becomes an ofﬁcial title. Originally where were three. Throughout the period of the Seven Ecumenical Councils these were the major centers of the Church.” (Acts 21:18) There exists a set of canons called the Canons of the Apostles. reign.” which means the father of a race or clan.
Councils Preceding the First Ecumenical Council
We have already discussed the important Council of Jerusalem where the process of decision making and place of final authority in the resolution of differences was established. It corresponds to episcopacy. Bishops of special dignity were called patriarchs. One in Rome the capital city. It is believed that this set of canons is dated between 56 . At the time of the First Ecumenical Council there were five Patriarchates. In Scripture we are told of a later convention which took place “When all of the elders were present. For a decision in council to be considered “ecumenical” the process had to include representatives from each of these patriarchates. used henceforth only as signifying a deﬁnite rank in the hierarchy. At ﬁrst they were used loosely as names of honor without any strict connotation.
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.58 AD.

He is of the same essence (Homoousios) with God the Father. and together with the evacuations his bowels protruded. Their was a violent relaxation of the bowels: he therefore enquired whether there was a convenient place near. and being directed to the back of Constantine's Forum.D
The first council was important because it dealt with a deviation from the teachings of the early Church due to the preaching of Arius. It is only if Christ is both man and God that we can hope to be united with God. If He became God. What was at stake here was that if Christ is less than God. today Iznik. Some believe this was the work of the Holy Spirit. Alexander. followed by a copious hemorrhage. He was distinguished in his appearance.
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. After the rejection of his teaching at Nicea. He was known to be a man of good moral behavior and with an ascetic character. The council also set a uniform date for the celebration of Pascha (Easter). The result was what is known as the Nicean Creed (it was added to in the Second Council as we will see in a moment). a creature. He was in open conflict with the Bishop of Alexandria. He returned to Alexandria after his schooling and was ordained. Sophia) Cathedral was the seat of the first Ecumenical Council of 325 A . he hastened there. Arius taught that if Jesus was born then there was a time when He did not exist. in the historical region called Bithynia.
This ﬁrst Council made the doctrine of the Holy Trinity very precise to avoid future debates on this issue. Soon after a faintness came over him. then there was a time when He was not. and the descent of the smaller intestines: moreover portions of his spleen and liver were brought off in the effusion of blood. Jesus then was inferior to the father. is located on the shore of a lake close to the Asian coast of the Marmara Sea.
First Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325
Nicaea. The council declared this teaching to be a heresy decreeing that Christ is God. who was a priest at the church of Baucalis in Egypt.Arius (250-336)
Most believe that he came from Lybia and was a student in Antioch. his beliefs became associated with political forces and he was later readmitted to the church by the Emperor. The issue was the divinity of Christ. so that he almost immediately died. He cannot be God. Therefore. Right: Ayasofya ( St. then it renders it impossible for our human deification (to become like God). It is only God who can open the way of union and our salvation. very intelligent and persuasive in his teaching. but before this order could take effect he died a horrible death.

he said that the Logos only dwelled in Christ. Paul used it for a base. only the bearer of God. Then the Virgin Mary should be called “Christokos”. This council affirmed the creed of the First and Second Councils without any changes. This Creed was later affirmed in later councils. whose teachings had been condemned by Celestine.
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. Therefore. Son. the Holy Spirit was inferior to the Father and the Son. which is recited today. Jesus Christ.
With this work the Creed. Mother of Christ” and not “Theotokos” Mother of God. Jesus and the Son of God.
Tomb of St. with a rational soul and body. This council was called to continue the work of the first council to expand the Nicean Creed to include teachings about the Holy Spirit. as in a Temple.Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient city founded in the 10th century BC by the prince of Athens named Androklos. This union of the two natures took place in such a way that did not disturb the other. Logos. There was a very large church built in the 6th century in honor of Saint John. The council declared that there was one God in three persons (hypostases): Father. There were many pilgrims that came to venerate his relics so Justinian built a large basilica over his tomb. The council affirmed that our Lord Jesus Christ is one person and not two separate persons: the man. John One can still see the ruins of the church where the Third Ecumenical Council was held.
The Council involved what we today know as some of the most important Holy Fathers of the Church.” He over emphasized the human nature of Christ at the expense of His divine nature. Christ was. He later became Bishop of Alexandria and faced over sixteen years in exile for staying true to his Orthodox beliefs. not God the “Logos”. Macedonius taught that the Holy Spirit was not a person (hypostasis). therefore. Therefore. In condemning his teaching the council further clarified the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Its main temple housed the goddess of Artemis and known as the largest building of the Ancient world. It was an important city of Christianity. was completed.
Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431
This council was held under emperor Theodosius II at the request of Nestorius. but simply a power of God. where his relics were kept. but to God who became man. the Patriarch of Rome. who declared the Son created the Holy Spirit. Saint Athanasius the Great was one of the prime defenders against Arianism. is complete God and complete man. Nestorius believed that the Virgin Mary gave birth to a man. and it was where John the Evangelist was bishop. They also condemned the teaching of Macedius. and Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary is “Theotokos” because she gave birth not to man. They decreed that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Logos).
Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381
This council was called by emperors Gratian and Theodosius I.

not separated or divided into two persons. "I confess that our Lord consists of two natures before [their] union. This one and the same Jesus Christ. unconfusedly.” Attila died soon after Marcianʼs decision and Attila the Hunʼs empire disintegrated. the Pope of Rome. having become like us in all things save sin only. When Theodoius died Marcian. but no gold.
Fifth Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 553
This council was called by the Emperor Justinian The Great.Emperor Marcian 396-457
Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451
The fourth council was called under the emperor Marcian. consubstantial with the Father as touching His Godhead. and as the Creed of the fathers has delivered unto us. but as the “Robbers” council. called for a new council to deal with this controversy. who was deeply committed to Orthodoxy. true God and true man. and consubstantial with us as touching His manhood. Such council was called. ending the threat from the Huns. but it is not known as an ecumenical council.
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. the Hagia Sophia. This council was attended by over 600 fathers. In the East his reign was an era of peace and prosperity. and that without the distinction of natures being taken away by such union. begotten of His Father before the ages according to His Godhead. Leo the Great.”
His rule marked a recovery of the eastern part of the empire. of a reasonable soul and [human] body consisting. for us men and for our salvation. there were some who now emphasized the unity of Christ with the Divinity. He proclaimed "After the incarnation of God the Word I worship one nature. but left the west without help against the barbarians. but rather the peculiar property of each nature being preserved and being united in one Person and subsistence. the nature of God Who took on flesh and became man". It confirmed the previous four Councils. Its task was to defend Orthodoxy against the heresy of Eutyches and the Monophysites. “I have iron for Attila. God the Word. especially the Ostrogoths. born of the Virgin Mary. He is noted to have stood up to Atilla the Hun." He boldly proclaimed. Marcianʼs policy resulted in saving the imperial treasury enormous sums of money." Eutyches managed to convince the Emperor Theodosius of his view and convinced him to call a council to affirm this view. indivisibly. which included the Vandal sack of Rome (455). the Mother of God. He permitted those peoples to settle as federates in Pannonia. more than any other. but does not have flesh which is consubstantial with ours. the only-begotten Son [of God] must be confessed to be in two natures. took his place. that He is perfect in Godhead and perfect in manhood. and as the Lord Jesus Christ has taught us. immutably. Thrace and Illyricum. inseparably [united]. "He Who was born of the Virgin Mary is perfect God and perfect man. It was called to finally end the Nestorian and Monophysite controversies which still raged. It was held in the most beautiful church ever built. It proclaimed: “Following the holy fathers. Marcian formed alliances with many peoples prevously under Hunnic domination. our Lord Jesus Christ. according to His manhood. but in these last days. The Monphysites saw Christ as one but where the human nature was completely absorbed by the divine. as the prophets of old have spoken concerning Him. To counter the extreme of the Nestorian heresy. we teach with one voice that the Son [of God] and our Lord Jesus Christ is to be confessed as one and the same [Person]. The main proponent of this heresy was Eutyches. and after [their] union I confess one nature. but one and the same Son and only-begotten. This resulted in Christ with one personality and only one nature.

Hence the name: “Monothelitism” (“mono” one and “thelesis” will) It declared: Christ had two natures with two activities: as God working miracles. and in the western parts of the empire the people refused to obey the edict. He surrounded himself with men and women of extraordinary talent. In the Italian Peninsula.
Sixth Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 680
This council dealt with the monothelite controversy. which broke out in Greece.Emperor Justinian 482-565
Justinian was born a L a t i n speaking peasant in a small village. Justinian also rebuilt Hagia Sophia. The new Hagia Sophia.
Seventh Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 787
The seventh council was convened under Empress Irene. He nevertheless acted as God only. the Emperor presided over this council surrounded by high court officials. and received the support of the official aristocracy and a section of the clergy. but Macarius of Antioch. Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch of Constantinople. mainly on religious grounds. In the midst of the assembly were placed the Holy Gospels. One of the most spectacular features of Justinianʼs reign was the recovery of large stretches of land around the Western Mediterranean basin. subjected to any change or working against each other. In 730. selected not because of aristocratic origin. which had slipped out of imperial control in the 5th century. He made the NicaenConstantinopolitan Creed the sole symbol of the Church and accorded legal force to the canons of the four ecumenical councils. the council adopted the teaching of Pope Agatho in condemnation of Monothelitism. 732). Leo retaliated by transferring
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. Justinian considered it his divine duty to restore the Roman Empire to it ancient boundaries. The greater part of the eighteen sessions was devoted to an examination of the Scriptural and patristic passages bearing on the question of one or two wills. and mosaics. His divine nature made all the decisions and His human nature only carried and acted them out. Sergius. as Man. and their exhibition in public places. Each nature performed those tasks set forth without being confused. Leo had him replaced by Anastasios who willingly sided with the emperor on the question of icons. with its numerous chapels and shrines. Christ's divine nature had a specific task to perform and so did His human nature. performing the ordinary acts of daily life. but returned and presided at the final gathering. George. It was about the use of icons in the Church. But. Emperor Leo III issued his first edict against the veneration of images. On the Emperor's left were seated the representatives of the Pope. Patriarch Germanos I of Constantinople resigned rather than subscribe to an iconoclast decree. was crushed by the imperial fleet in 727. became the center and most visible monument of Eastern Orthodoxy in Constantinople. on 7 March 681. rising from the dead and ascending into heaven. but based on merit. On his right sat the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Antioch and next to them the representative of the Patriarch of Alexandria. A revolt. So what were these council sessions like? In this case. The two distinct natures and activities related to them were mystically united in the one Divine Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each nature exercises its own free will. was in agreement with the evidence of the Orthodox teaching concerning the two wills and two operations in Christ. In other words. in disregard of the protests of Germanus.” He seems to have been amenable and easy to approach. This prohibition of a custom seems to have been inspired by a genuine desire to improve public morality. The Emperor was not able to be present during the 11th to 17th sessions. the defiant attitude of Popes Gregory II and Gregory III on behalf of image-veneration led to a fierce quarrel with the emperor. He was known as the “Emperor who never sleeps. one or two operations. large guilded dome. in Christ. In 726. In the 8th session. taught that although Christ had two natures (divine and human). The former summoned councils in Rome to anathematize and excommunicate the iconoclasts (730. Patriarch of Constantinople. a majority of the theologians and all the monks opposed these measures with uncompromising hostility. resisted to the end.

they will cause those who look at them to commemorate and love their prototype." John of Damascus was one of the famous defenders of icons. and in houses and along the roads. those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people.Saint John of Damascus
Southern Italy and Illyricum from the papal diocese to that of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
(c. wrote works expounding the Christian faith. should be exhibited in the holy churches of God. and died (in all probability) at the Monastery of Mar Saba. but not of real worship (latreia). furnishings. Theology. . which are still in everyday use in Eastern Orthodox churches throughout the world. inciting revolt among those of Christian faith. He was a person of wide ranging knowledge whose fields of interest and contribution included Law.. which Leo finally endeavored to subdue by means of a large fleet. We define also that they should be kissed and that they are an object of veneration and honor (timitiki proskynisis). mosaic. southeast of Jerusalem. 676 – December 5. that of our Lady the Theotokos. The council proclaimed the following: "We define that the holy icons. 749) He was a Syrian monk and presbyter. who were suspicious of religious art and demanded that the Church rid itself of all such art by destroying it and the iconophiles who wanted to preserve them because they served the doctrinal teachings of the Church. Whenever these representations are contemplated. Philosophy and Music. whether in color. The struggle was accompanied by an armed outbreak in the exarchate of Ravenna in 727.
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. which is reserved for Him Who is the subject of our faith and is proper for the divine nature. He was the Chief Administrator to the ruler of Damascus. namely the icons of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. but the use of a simpler literary style brought the controversy to the common people. or some other material.. He was born and raised in Damascus under Muslim rule. This created a fierce conflict between iconoclast. and wrote hymns. venerated in it the reality for which it stands. on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments. he who venerates the icon. on the walls. John of Damascus initiated his defense against the emperor in three "Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images." Not only did he attack the emperor. which is in effect transmitted to the prototype.

the wood of the Cross. 2..But the previously mentioned creator of evil." He includes in this latter category the ink in which the gospels were written as well as the paint of images. St. which they considered impossible. a Satanic misleading of Christians to return to pagan practice.Empress Theodora RESTORER OF THE VENERATION OF THE HOLY ICONS
Issues in Byzantine Iconoclasm
What accounts of iconoclast arguments remain are largely found in iconodule writings..
The empress was the wife of the Byzantine emperor Theophilos the Iconoclast (829842). It was also seen as a departure from ancient Church tradition. 4. so that they worshipped the creature instead of the Creator. the only real religious image must be an exact likeness of the prototype . For iconoclasts.gradually brought back idolatry under the appearance of Christianity. Iconoclasm condemned the making of any lifeless image (e. The Law of Moses and the Prophets cooperated to remove this ruin. But by making an icon of Jesus. but she did not share in the heresy of her husband and secretly venerated the holy icons. one must note the main points: 1.g.the doctrine where Jesus was considered two persons rathe than a unified person). Theodora did much for the Holy Church and fostered a ﬁrm devotion to Orthodoxy in her son Michael. St.of the same substance. and the veneration of icons was reinstated. She convened a Council. "But I also venerate the matter through which salvation came to me. "but rather the Creator of matter... Theodora established the annual celebration of this event. Icon use for religious purposes was viewed as an innovation in the Church. considering them one (union of the human and divine natures was considered monophysitism). The chief theological opponents of iconoclasm was John of Damascus. Theodora governed the realm because her son Michael was a minor." 5. which was believed to be his actual body and blood. one is separating his human and divine natures. To understand iconoclastic arguments. "Satan misled men. Thus for iconoclasts the only true (and permitted) "icon" of Jesus was the Eucharist. and the body and blood of Jesus. After the death of her husband. since only the human can be depicted (separating the natures was considered Nestorianism . Any true image of Jesus must be able to represent both his divine nature (which is impossible because it cannot be seen nor en compassed) and his human nature (which is possible). of which there was a written record opposing religious images. or else confusing the human and divine natures. as if filled with divine energy and grace. on the ﬁrst Sunday of the Great Fast." However he also declared. John declared that he did not venerate matter.
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. painting or statue) that was intended to represent Jesus or one of the saints. St. the Triumph of Orthodoxy. 3. at which the Iconoclasts were anathematized. seeing wood and paint as empty of spirit and life.

Her zeal in restoring images and monasteries has given her a place among the saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. held in 786 at Constantinople. Therefore. Empress Irene was the wife of Leo IV. Essentially the argument was "all religious images not of our faith are idols. but according to Theophanes the Confessor. Further. 5. Regarding the written tradition opposing the making and veneration of images. a policy which she had always secretly favored. crowned Charlemagne as Roman Emperor in 800. who. 4. Her most notable act was the restoration of the orthodox veneration of icons or images." This was considered comparable to the Old Testament practice of only offering burnt sacrifices to God. Arguments were drawn from the miraculous Acheiropoieta. Having elected Tarasios.
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. The second. 2. Assertion that the biblical commandment forbidding images of God had been superseded by the incarnation of Jesus. who alone mentions it. Irene is said to have endeavored to negotiate a marriage between herself and Charlemagne. formally revived the adoration of images and reunited the Eastern Orthodox Church with that of Rome. was frustrated by the opposition of the soldiers. Basil the Great. 3. is God incarnate in visible matter. etc. and other miraculous occurrences around icons. the scheme was frustrated by Aetios. Nevertheless. to the patriarchate in 784. but God as He appeared in the flesh. that demonstrated divine approval of Iconodule practices. all images of our faith are icons to be venerated. while icons depicted real persons. though compelled to abjure it in her husband's lifetime. Iconodules further argued that decisions such as whether icons ought to be venerated were properly made by the church assembled in council. being the second person of the Trinity. The first of these. one of her partisans. who needed help against enemies in Rome and who saw the throne of the Byzantine emperor as vacant (lacking a male occupant). in their view idols depicted persons without substance or reality. she summoned two church councils. sanctioned in Orthodoxy as authoritative in doctrine by reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:15.
Irene reigned for ﬁve years. whereas the iconoclasts had used the issue of the incarnation against them. This was seen as an insult to Byzantium and the Orthodox Church and caused another rift between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Thus the argument also involved the issue of the proper relationship between church and state. This became an attempt to shift the issue of the incarnation in their favor. they asserted that icons were part of unrecorded oral tradition (parádosis. one of her favorites. not imposed on the church by an emperor. they were not depicting the invisible God. from 797 to 802.). the supposed icon of the Virgin painted with her approval by Saint Luke. Related to this was the observation that it was foolish to deny to God the same honor that was freely given to the human emperor. Pope Leo III. and not to any other gods.Empress Irene 752-803
The iconodule response to iconoclasm included: 1. convened at Nicaea in 787.

The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons.
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." At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. was ﬁnally laid to rest. this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox Church remains true to the wisdom of these Seven Councils. and icons and their veneration were restored on the ﬁrst Sunday in Lent. This is why we say that Orthodoxy preserves the truth of the Christian faith in its fullest. a service is conducted in commemoration of the afﬁrmations of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 and the restoration of the use of icons in 843. which had raged on and off since 726. It is becoming a common practice that the Procession of the Icons is conducted as part of a Pan-Orthodox Vespers service on the evening of the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the ﬁrst Sunday of Great Lent. The Orthodox Church is known as the Church of the Seven Councils. Ever since. It is through these councils that the Church has been able to withstand political forces that have threatened to change the teachings of the Apostles. Orthodox faithful carry icons in a procession. This means that our doctrine is unchanged from the pronouncements of these councils. The great controversies that arose in the earliest days of the Church were in the end brought to a head in a council of bishops who through the Holy Spirit were able to affirm the truth of Christianity. In the West there have been innovations from the earliest truths proclaimed by these Councils.Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Truth In Its Fullest
The Ecumenical Councils of the Church have served a critical importance. In that year the iconoclastic controversy.

The Great Schism must not be conceived as the result of only one specific quarrel. and fraternal embrace.
The Great Schism What caused the split of the Church between East and West?
While the Church was unified for almost a thousand years. Charlemagne sought recognition from the ruler at Byzantium.
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. often with languages and dialects of their own. there developed differences in doctrine and practice that have separated them. The Mediterranean. which the Romans once called "our sea. But all these groups were governed by the same Emperor. the west was carved up among barbarian chiefs. King of the Franks. Cultural and economic contacts between the eastern and western Mediterranean became far more difficult. Constantine furthered this process of separation by establishing a second imperial capital in the east. the west proceeded to set up a "Roman" Empire of its own. While Orthodoxy has preserved the teachings of the first Seven Councils without change. The Pope's visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate came at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. East and West with two emperors. There were political and cultural differences that arose along with doctrinal issues. On Christmas Day in the year 800 the Pope crowned Charles the Great. The Byzantines regarded Charlemagne as an intruder and the Papal coronation as an act of schism within the Empire. George for the feast day of St. In the third century the empire was divided into two parts. but without success. the two Church leaders renewed their commitment to work towards the restoration of Full Communion between the two Churches. the Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
ISTANBUL. The Empire embraced many different national groups. These facts greatly assisted the early Church in its missionary work.
Political and Cultural divergence
If we go back to the time of the Apostles there was a political and cultural unity because of the Roman Empire. It was the ﬁrst visit of a Pope to the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1979. The Romans has assimilated the Hellenic culture so there was a broad Greco-Roman civilization in which educated people throughout the Empire shared. Then came the barbarian invasions at the start of the fifth century: apart from Italy. Constantinople. Why is it important to know about this? Because this history affirms that the fundamental nature of Orthodoxy is that it’s doctrines do not change and that it holds the truths as proclaimed in the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Church. Being isolated from Byzantium. Both Greek and Latin was understood throughout the Empire with Greek being the common language of commerce at that time. there have been changes introduced in the other groups who call themselves Christians. The separation was carried a stage further by the rise of Islam. 2006 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI walked alongside each other amid the sound of church bells after a day of worship. Pope Benedict XVI attended services celebrated by Ecumenical Patriarchal Bartholomew and his Holy Synod in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle. We will briefly take a look at how this split occurred. This unity gradually disappeared. In a mutual statement of ecclesiastical solidarity. as Emperor. the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians world-wide." passed largely into Arab control. Turkey November 30.Benedict and Bartholomew meet in Istanbul. The split occurred over a long period of time and formally came to a head in 1054 in what is known as the Great Schism. ecumenical dialogue.

was quick to retaliate with a charge of heresy against the Byzantine Church. because it established the precedent of papal ascendancy over secular leadership. even called the language in which Virgil once wrote (Latin) "a barbarian and Scythic tongue." Charlemagne’s Court was marked at its outset by a strong anti-Greek prejudice. which could act as a center of unity. Charlemagne was responsible for the death of masses of people who refused to accept Christianity. while in the East there was still the sense of a conciliar approach. the Pope became an autocrat. By force of circumstances. By the year 450 there were very few in western Europe who could read Greek. but sought to create a new Christian civilization of their own. rejected by the Byzantine Emperor. an absolute monarch set up over the Church. In the west. to uphold the civilized order and to enforce law.Charlemagne
Matters were made more difficult by problems of language. but to secular rulers as well. these factors led to a different role for the Pope than the traditional role of a Patriarch. as an element of continuity and stability in the spiritual and political life of western Europe. He conquered Italy and was crowned Imperator Augustus by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800. The Pope became an absolute authority over all of the Western church. after the advent of the barbarians. There were differences in world views and how they thought. Charlemagne came to the aid of Pope Leo III. Men of letters in Charlemagne’s entourage were not prepared to copy Byzantium. The western Church became centralized to a degree unknown anywhere in the four Patriarchates of the east. He built a Frankish Empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. while the Greeks understood theology in the context of worship and in the light of the Holy Liturgy. Michael III. Photius. When thinking about the Trinity. Greeks with the threeness of the persons.
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. issuing commands — in a way that few if any eastern bishops have ever done — not only to his ecclesiastical subordinates. he was unexpectedly crowned emperor. He went to Rome to restore order and. In the east there was a strong secular head. Greeks of Christ the Victor.
King of the Franks from 768 to his death in 814. There developed monarchy in the west and collegiality in the east.
Charlemagne." as well. Latins started with the unity of the Godhead. The barbarian invasions and the consequent breakdown of the Empire in the west also strengthened the autocratic structure of the western Church. could not read Latin. The Latin approach was more practical. the greatest scholar in ninth century Constantinople. the Emperor. all more or less usurpers. and in 864 a "Roman" Emperor at Byzantium. although Byzantium still called itself the Roman Empire. Educated men were no longer bilingual. Latins thought primarily of Christ the Victim. For the most part it was the Papacy alone. by the concepts of Roman law. and after 600.
Role of the Pope. He denounced the Greeks for not using the filioque in the Creed and he declined to accept the decisions of the seventh Ecumenical Council. but though he still often referred to himself as a king he now also styled himself "Emperor. it was rare for a Byzantine to speak Latin. or their new king. Perhaps it is in the reign of Charlemagne that the schism of civilizations first becomes clearly apparent. When reflecting on the Crucifixion. The Orthodox held that any doctrine difference had to include the entire Church and that no single person had the ability to make changes in doctrine. who had been attacked in the streets of Rome. Charlemagne wasn't pleased with this development. The absolute authority rested with the Ecumenical council as it had since the council of Jerusalem held by the Apostles. Latins talked more of redemption and Greeks of deification. after Leo purged himself of the charges against him.
As suggested. the Greek more speculative. Latin thought was influenced by juridical ideas. there was only a plurality of warring chiefs.

so that their Creed now reads "who proceeds from the Father and the Son.Saint Photios Patriarch of Constantinople
Doctrinal divergence
The second great difficulty was the filioque. He vigorously opposed the addition of the ﬁlioque clause to the Nicene . Leo deliberately had the Creed." It is not certain when and where this addition was first made. if not before. It may seem to many that the point at issue is so abstruse as to be unimportant. in the Holy Spirit. But. Orthodoxy objected (and still objects) to this addition in the Creed. and so encourages a false doctrine of the Church. although he himself believed the filioque to be doctrinally sound. who proceeds from the Father.Constantinopolitan Creed.
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. First. But Rome. there are certain lesser matters regarding Church worship and discipline which have caused trouble between east and west: the Greeks allowed married clergy while the Latins insisted on priestly celibacy. Not only does the filioque destroy the balance between the three persons of the Holy Trinity: it leads also to a false understanding of the work of the Spirit in the world. their reaction was sharply critical. Photios was long the standard-bearer of their church in its disagreements with the Pope of Rome. and a part of the Church has no right to tamper with it. For the time being Rome acted as mediator between Germany and Byzantium. the Giver of Life. the West inserted an extra phrase "and from the Son" (in Latin. But Orthodox would say that since the doctrine of the Trinity stands at the heart of the Christian faith. accusing the Greeks of heresy because they recited the Creed in its original form. who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and together glorified." This. the original form. and wrote On the Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit to preserve "the purity of our religion" and to hinder "those who chose to promote any other deﬁnition of dogma than the unanimous and common faith of the pious". where it was welcomed by Charlemagne and adopted at the semi-Iconoclast Council of Frankfort (794). It was not until after 850 that the Greeks paid much attention to the filioque. there are different rules of fasting. The dispute involved the words about the Holy Spirit in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. with typical conservatism. but it seems to have originated in Spain. Orthodox believe the filioque to be theologically untrue. the Ecumenical Councils specifically forbade any changes to be introduced into the Creed. In the second place.. inscribed on silver plaques and set up in Saint Peter’s. the Lord. From Spain the addition spread to France and thence to Germany. without the filioque. but also connected to his love and meekness. They hold that the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.. certainly nothing short of another Ecumenical Council is competent to make it."
820-893 His greatness was not only due to his defense of Orthodoxy against heretical papal practices. yet he considered it a mistake to tamper with the wording of the Creed. and consider it a heresy to say that He proceeds from the Son as well. the Greeks used leavened bread in the Eucharist and the Latins use unleavened bread or "azymes. The Creed is the common possession of the whole Church. Originally the Creed ran: "I believe. Besides the issues of the role of the Papacy and the filioque. and if an addition has to be made. but once they did so. At any rate the Spanish Church interpolated the filioque at the third Council of Toledo (589). It was writers at Charlemagne’s Court who first made the filioque into an issue of controversy. This treatise became the pattern for all subsequent Byzantine anti-Latin polemics. filioque). a small change of emphasis in Trinitarian theology has far-reaching consequences in many other fields. is recited unchanged by the east to this day. continued to use the Creed without the filioque until the start of the eleventh century. In 808 Pope Leo III wrote in a letter to Charlemagne that. for two reasons. as a safeguard against Arianism.

was given the courtesy title of "ﬁrst among equals" and in a tie vote he could make the ﬁnal determination according to tradition. East and West celebrate Pascha on diﬀerent dates. who escorted him back to Rome under royal protection. saying the Holy Spirit proceeded from both Father and Son. There was now no chance of reconciliation between the factions. He demanded that Cerularius submit to the Pope. But his most serious concern was that the Latin Church had added the word "ﬁlioque" to the Nicene Creed. In April 799 he was attacked by a gang. Alexandria. Cerularius convoked a council and once more blasted Western practices. Humbert was so rude to Cerularius that Cerularius refused to speak with him. he said . Before they could complete their mission. Cerularius circulated a treatise criticizing in strong terms the practices of the Western church. Gregorian calendar and the East still uses the old Julian calendar to determine the date of Pascha. Consequently.Pope Leo III
Formal Schism 1054
The formal break came when Michael Cerularius was Patriarch of Constantinople and St. In more recent times there have been further diﬀerences. Cerularius excommunicated all bishops of Constantinople who used the Western ritual and closed down their churches. 1054. Sophia on July 6. requesting an envoy. Leo sent legates. Humbert was anathematized. Aggravated by this treatment. which was added by Franks in Aachen in 809. excommunicating Cerularius. He also ordered that the Nicene Creed be engraved on silver tablets so that his conclusion might not be overturned in the future. Cardinal Humbert. Jerusalem. but escaped and made his way to Charlemagne. Constantinople and Rome were equals in his eyes. Antioch. He objected to the Catholics use of unleavened bread in their Eucharist. The ﬁve patriarchs. Leo died. Leo placed the imperial crown on Charlemagne's head. Charlemagne replied that it was his function to defend the church and the popes' to pray for the realm. aroused the hostility of Rome's nobility. The once united Church was now divided into two: Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic.
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. shaking the dust oﬀ his feet and calling on God to judge. as patriarch of the West. Cerularius said the fact that Catholics did not allow their clergy to marry was contrary to scripture and tradition. On Christmas Day. and placed a bull on the altar. headed by an unyielding man. to discuss the issues. resurrecting the ofﬁce of Emperor of the Roman Empire in the East.a synagogue of Satan. Humbert made a grand exit. Leo. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced the new. He was accused of adultery and perjury. coming from a commonfolk background. sending him the keys of Saint Peter's tomb and the banner of Rome. the legates marched into St. who attempted to gouge out his eyes and cut off his tongue for his earlier actions. After this act. He was formally deposed and sent to a monastery. Rome's growing claims to authority were deemed unacceptable to the other patriarchs. This incensed Leo.
Leo announced his election to Charlemagne. Leo Pope in Rome. The bishop of Rome. who believed (and who still believe) that Christ alone is the head of the Church. The Eastern patriarch wasn't about to accept this characterization. Any church which refused to recognize the pontiﬀ as supreme was an assembly of heretics. The Orthodox condemned all who had drawn up the bull. Leo forbade the addition of "ﬁlioque" to Nicene Creed. In 1053.

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. Pillar of Orthodoxy. They also brought numerous Byzantine Rite communities in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine into communion with Rome.D.Mark of Ephesus
In the 1800’s the Roman Catholic Church established both Papal Infallibility and Mary’s Immaculate Conception to be dogmas of the universal Church. and was thus the only Eastern bishop to refuse to sign the decrees of the council.) in spite of the emperor and the pope of Rome. his disciple. He held Rome to be in schism and heresy for its acceptance of the Filioque clause added to the NiceneConstantinopolitan Creed and for the claims of the papacy to universal jurisdiction over the Church. and later Patriarch Gennadius. to be careful of the snares of the West and to defend Orthodoxy. He died peacefully in the year 1452 A.D. Mark implored Gregory. was famous for his courageous defense of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence (1439 A.
Mark of Ephesus (Evgenikos). forming the greater part of the Byzantine Catholic Church. In 1950 the Pope deﬁned Mary’s Assumption (aka Dormition) as a dogma. On his death bed.

The Crusades were originally bound for Egypt and then to go to the Holy Land. Constantinople was the richest city in the world at the time. The Latins then set up a government and their own bishops. As a result of the invasion Latin Patriarchs were set up leaving the cities under two patriarchs. Like pilgrims.
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. For those in the East the crusades were seen as “Frank Invasions”. most of which were sanctioned by the Pope in the name of Christendom. 1st Crusade : 1096 to 1099 2nd Crusade : 1147 to 1149 3rd Crusade : 1189 to 1192 4th Crusade : 1201 to 1204 5th Crusade : 1218 to 1221 6th Crusade : 1228 to 1229 7th Crusade : 1248 to 1254 8th Crusade : 1270
How did the Crusades impact the East?
The Crusades made the split firm.The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of military conﬂicts of a religious character waged by Christians during 1095–1291. While under Muslim control. Antioch was inhabited primarily by Christians. It was a horrible scene. including ﬁdeles Sancti Petri (the faithful of St. Antioch was followed by Jerusalem in 1099. those who were appointed by Constantinople and those appointed by the conquerers with allegiance to Rome. but it was delayed and the mercenary soldiers were running out of money and set out on a campaign for stolen goods. The holy relics were stolen and many that are to this day seen throughout Europe came from this Crusade as Constantinople was the center of Christianity and its most precious relics. It was sacked and pillaged. This is where they headed and defeated the Byzantine Army and sacked the city. The first city sacked was Antioch. They saw themselves as undertaking a peregrinatio. Women and children were killed and women raped. and they were granted a cloth cross (crux) to be sewn into their clothes. each crusader swore a vow (a votus). They destroyed churches and undertook systematic acts of sacrilege. though pilgrims were usually forbidden from carrying arms. a pilgrimage. to be fulﬁlled on successfully reaching Jerusalem. The original crusaders were known by various terms. The Crusades were never referred to as such by their participants. The Crusades originally had the goal of recapturing Jerusalem and the sacred "Holy Land" from Muslim rule and were originally launched in response to a call from the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire for help against the expansion of the Muslim Seljuq dynasty into Anatolia. The first crusade was a bloody success. All this was done with the blessing of the Pope in Rome. The worst was the 4th Crusade (1204) which was a disaster and disgrace. Peter) or milites Christi (knights of Christ).

and remained primarily Venietian territory during the period in question. and the Venetians retained Crete until 1670. the Ottomans advanced south into Greece proper. and the Venetians and Genoese clung to some of the islands. Having defeated the Bulgarians in 1371 and the Serbs in 1389. The Greeks held out in the Peloponnese until 1460. and were a refuge for Greeks to ﬂee foreign rule. Cyprus fell in 1571.
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. Again in 1438 Emperor John VIII sought political and military assistance and another council was held at Florence. Orthodox Christianity entered a long period of suppression. The mountains of Greece were largely untouched. In 1453 Constantinople fell to the Turks and all of the east was under Muslim rule. Shortly after the forth crusade Constantinople was recaptured by Emperor Michael VIII in 1261. But there was a popular uprising because the political nature of this agreement was seen by the people and the monks in the monasteries. The Eastern Church accepted the “filioque” clause. which had ruled most of the Greekspeaking world for over 1100 years. political and military blow to the Empire it proved to be a mortal. The Ionian Islands were only brieﬂy ruled by the Ottomans (Kefalonia from 1479 to 1481 and 1485 to 1500).
Most of Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century until its declaration of independence in 1821. Again it was rejected by the populous and repudiated by its Eastern signers. had been fatally weakened since the sacking of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204. capturing Athens in 1458. There was a council meeting that took place in Lyons in 1274 in which a union was agreed to. Now the split became generally accepted. Today. but without giving up what Orthodoxy has stood true to for over 2000 years. This was the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. But the impact of the fourth crusade was such an economic. This lasted for 400 years. Michael sought alliances to protect him from the onslaught of the Turks and thought that a reunion of the Church was a prerequisite to security. The Ottoman Turks ﬁrst crossed into Europe in 1354. The Emperor and the Patriarch attended and the East agreed to the Western doctrine and to keep their different rites. but by 1500 most of the plains and islands of Greece were in Ottoman hands.Ottoman Empire
Attempts at Reunion
After the Crusades the hatred was high in the East against the Western world. the Ecumenical Patriarch continually works towards unity of the Church. The Byzantine Empire. There were firm doctrinal differences such as the “filioque” and each claimed to be the True Church.

ridiculed religion. the Church had over 27. 2006. Also the appointment to positions in the Church was inﬂuenced by monetary contributions. At this time innovative doctrines such as salvation by faith alone were developed.259 monks and nuns. The Soviet Union was the ﬁrst state to have as an ideological objective the elimination of religion. In short people could buy their way to heaven.593 chapels.Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate of Moscow
In 863-869. This movement.173 Russian Orthodox churches and 29. Vladimir the Great.000 parishes. In 1914 there were 55.629 priests and deacons. Also at this time there was the rise of Orthodoxy throughout Russia. 169 bishops. Orthodoxy retained its unbroken historical and theological connection to the New Testament Church. The Communist regime conﬁscated church property. was due mainly to a corrupt and heretical view on the use of indulgences as penance. In objecting to these corrupt practices much of Holy Tradition was rejected and a fall back to a reliance only on Scripture as the basis of truth emerged. harassed believers. which saw the breaking away of many churches in Northern Europe. In the ﬁrst ﬁve years after the Bolshevik revolution. 550 monasteries and 475 convents with a total of 95. and propagated atheism in the schools. The Tradition was passed on through the Russian Church and the Church under Muslim rule. 112. ﬁve theological academies and 75 theological schools in the territory of the former Soviet Union. two universities. In short the teaching of the Church remained virtually unchanged relying of the doctrine that had been established in the Seven Ecumenical Councils as the basis of the Truth taught by the Apostles. All this lead to thousands of branches of Christianity due to diﬀerent individual interpretations of Scripture.
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. The Russian empire was dissolved and the Tsarist government was overthrown. It became the center of activity for the Orthodox Church at this time even though they still held Constantinople in high honor.200 priests were executed. Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius translated parts of the Bible into the Old Church Slavonic language paving the way for the Christianization of the Slavs. 28 bishops and 1. By 1987 the number of functioning churches in the Soviet Union had fallen to 6893. In December. Here there were many monasteries and seminaries for training clergy.
Reformation What role did the Orthodox Church play in the Reformation in the 16th Century?
The Eastern Church had split some 500 years earlier and none of the issues that led to the formation of the Protestant churches were issues in the Orthodox Church. 713 monasteries. The Eastern Churches continued their path unchanged under the Ottomans. made Kievan Rus' a Christian state in 988.

Pittsburgh.000 died of starvation. The immigrants established the ﬁrst Orthodox Church in 1864 in New Orleans. It is governed by the Archbishop and the Eparchial Synod of Metropolitans. followed a civil war that pitted family against family. The movement for Greece’s Independence took place on March 25. There are more than 500 parishes. In 1923 as the result of the negotiations to end World War I there was a population exchange between what is now Turkey and Greece. There were over 2.000 between 1946 and 1982. Then Greece fell under the occupation of the Axis powers during World War II.
Church in America How was the Greek Orthodox Church brought to America?
The Greeks suﬀered 400 years of Oppression and persecution under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Chicago. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is composed of an Archdiocesan district (New York City) and eight metropolises (or dioceses): New Jersey. The United States was one of the better places for them to seek a new life. The Synod is headed by the Archbishop (as the ﬁrst among equals) and comprised of the Metropolitans who oversee the ministry and operations of their respective metropolises. Boston and Denver. Others stayed and sent a major portion of their income back to help families left behind and still struggling. Atlanta.000 involved in this massive disruption of normal life. Thousands and thousands came.
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. It has all the authority and responsibility which the Church canons provide for a provincial synod. In Archbishop 1908. Detroit. The period following the fall of the Ottoman Empire was ﬁlled with poor economic conditions and instability especially in the Balkans.000. 800 priests and 21 monastic communities. San Francisco.000 Greeks arrived in the United States between 1890 and 1924 another 200. Then. the Demetrios Church of Greece received authority over the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese but in 1922. Over 500. As the immigrants came they brought their Church with them. In 1941 to 1944 there was a blockade by the Allies which led to a great famine in Greece where over 300.Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
The Greek Orthodox A r c h d i ocese of N o r t h America was incorporated in 1921. Many stayed long enough to earn money and return. Patriarch Meletios IV transfered the archdiocese back to the jurisdiction of the Church of Constantinople. 1821 and independence was realize in 1829. During these periods of conﬂict and struggle people left Greece to establish a better life for themselves.

We will caution you to beware of relying on your own mind to give you the truth about God and thinking that you know too much about God. Omniscient.000 years ago . It is a way to set boundaries that keep us from making an error about the nature of God. We will point out how Scripture tells us that God is Spirit. we will give you a brief introduction to one of the controversies that was involved in the split of the Church between East and West about 1. How do you know God? We will start by explaining why you can’t know God in His totality as He is “unknowable. One of the important doctrines of Christianity is the Holy Trinity. a doctrine like the Holy Trinity is not within our rational comprehension.the “filioque”. what are the practical uses of the Doctrine of the Trinity in our everyday lives? We will discuss how it can help you learn about your human relationships and your relationship to God. But.Who is God?
Chapter 2
How can we know God? What does the Bible tells us about God? What does the doctrine of the Holy Trinity tell us about God? How do the Church Fathers explain the Trinity?
How do we know God?
How do we begin to get knowledge of God?
God is a sea of being. What can we learn from Scriptures? We can learn some of the attributes of God. You must remember that you cannot define God because He is infinite. immeasurable and limitless.
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Where do we get Knowledge of God?
How do we avoid self-delusion?
What does the Bible tell us about God?
What are the attributes of God?
In this chapter we address the question. Finally.
What does the doctrine of the Holy Trinity tell us about God?
Why is this doctrine so important? How do the Church Fathers explain the Holy Trinity?
What are some practical beneﬁts of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity?
How does the Holy Trinity operate in Christian LIfe? How does it relate to our Salvation?
What is “ﬁlioque”?
Why do Orthodox talk about the “ﬁlioque”?
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.” But. Therefore. Unchangeable and Unity.your own and that which is recorded in the Holy Scriptures. Omnipresent. We will address how you avoid self-delusion. Eternal. we will show you how you can know God by experience . which have served to keep the truth about God pure and unchanged from the time of the Apostles. Good. What is this doctrine and how did the early Church Fathers explain it? We will give you some of their answers. All-Righteous. In the early Church doctrine was formulated to counteract heresies where the teaching of the Apostles was being distorted. This was done through the Church Councils.

dimly. renounce your bodily senses. It is based on an inner conviction with a moral foundation.” (Matt 3:16-17)
Can we know God’s essence?
God in His essence is incomprehensible. God is “unapproachable light. “This is My beloved Son. As Orthodox Christians we believe in that which is inaccessible to our outward experience. grandeur. not a mental concept and not something we can construct by philosophical reasoning. But. We must first of all realize that God is not physical. their splendor. renounce your own body. by speaking of an “unapproachable light. but we can experience His energies. whom no man has seen or can see” (1Tim. which is called “Theophany. and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” that we cannot know the essence of God.”
How Do We Know God?
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself unto us. reverence and humility. veneration.Theophany
The Trinity is revealed in the Baptism of the Lord. in whom I am we + pleased. Paul is telling us. Saint Basil the Great writes . this knowledge is never complete. 6:16). We thirst for knowledge of God and often don’t know where to look. Jesus came up immediately )om the water. the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). their orderly arrangements.
If you wish to speak or hear about God. 13:12). Our confession is based on faith and is not founded on rational grounds. fear. the adornments of the earth. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
“When He had been baptized. And suddenly a v oice came from heaven. But how? The first words in our creed are “I believe”. such as knowledge gained through scientific exploration or what is observed by us through our senses. Paul writes. “For now we see in a mirror. and behold. pass over the seasons of the year. What we seek is something that can only be seen “dimly” and is only partially known. With it comes a feeling of love. Our faith is based on a mystical revelation in our soul. saying. God can be experienced. the heavens were opened to Him. But God is not visible and often seems so distant. and I know in part” (1Cor.our God. stand above the ether. As Paul says. the profit
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. To believe in God means that we acknowledge God with our minds and that we strive towards I Am Who Is Him with our hearts. Our faith is a reality that binds us with the source of all life and power . We do have some knowledge of God based on what He has revealed of Himself to us. The Apostle Paul tells us. traverse the stars. There are no proofs based on a logical examination of facts. blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord
(Ps 118:26-27) We are born with an inner urge to know God.

St. Principalities. We can say that God is not physically visible or is not a creation. arrangement. their good order. resplendent glory. the Powers. Cyril of Jerusalem (315 . The starting point to knowing God is to accept that we are not searching for a definition that can be put into words. do not pass on by Your servant. while the three together are spoken of with the plural. (Gen 18:1-5)
Affirming the presence of the Holy Trinity. unalterable. Please let a little water be brought. but also..
which they provide for the whole world.. For in what concerns God. incomplex. immeasurable beauty that powerfully strikes the wounded soul. . For this ends up being only our own mental creation. and the bond or distance between them. but why? Because. the presiding of the Thrones.and when he saw them. to confess our ignorance is the best knowledge. About all we can say about God is that He isn’t this. He isn’t that either. Abraham then addresses one of the angels in the singular. movement. which are above the heavens. We are part of His creation and therefore less than God. standing above it. The key is that we must be careful not to use our reason to derive a definition of God beyond what has been revealed to us through Scripture and Tradition or our direct experience of Him.. as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. Having passed through all this in your mind. observe the beauties which are there: the armies of angels.. The Creator must be larger than the created. unchanging. Authorities. It is necessary to go beyond words and reason to understand the true nature of the Divine. It becomes even more clear as one reads on that one of the three angels is a type of the Incarnate Word. as thou and Lord. with your thought alone.” We cannot think of God in terms of a philosophy. brightness. unmoving. “We explain not what God is. and said. but never totally describe Him. dispassionate. go about heaven and.. the glory of the Dominions. unutterable power. indivisible.
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.Hospitality of Abraham
Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth (oak) trees of Mamre.. “My Lord. most desired goodness. infinite magnitude. God the Son who will in the future take human form. and wash your feet. if I have now found favor in Your sight. but cannot worthily be depicted in words”
How do we begin to get knowledge of God?
We begin by confessing our ignorance about the essence of God. present to your mind the essence of God. simple. God is infinite and beyond all human reason. raising your mind beyond the boundaries of it. and rest. that you may refresh your hearts. he ran from the tent door to mee t them. this would limit God to our own reasonableness. but a relationship with Him. This is known as “apophatic theology” where we define God by what we know He is not. Having gone past all this and left below the whole of creation in your thoughts. as you. unapproachable light.. but candidly confess that we have no exact knowledge concerning Him.386) tells us. the chiefs of the archangels. Words cannot define God. We can set boundaries that help us to know God.

Reblev Icon

Where do we get Knowledge of God?
First, we can know Him through His Creation: ourselves, nature, and all of creation. All of this we can observe. Apostle Paul tells us, “For

since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20). We can observe his wonders in the beauty of a
flower, the flight of a bird, the snow caps of vast mountains or the beauty of a bubbling brook. We can see his vastness by the mystery of life of all forms, especially our own, and all its dimensions physical, mental, social, and spiritual. We can find it in the wonder and joy of the birth of a new child or the tender love a mother has for her newborn child. Second, God revealed Himself to us through the Incarnation of the Son of God. God sent to us His only begotten Son who lived in the flesh. This is what is recorded in the New Testament. He also spoke to us through the prophets of the Old Testament. The incarnation of God himself as fully human gives us a most vivid way of knowing God. The Apostles are our best sources for information on this. Paul writes,

This famous icon of the Trinity by Andrew Rublev takes the coming of the three angels to Abraham at Mamre as a veiled appearance of the Trinity. When we see this same icon with Abraham and Sarah behind the three ﬁgures, it is called "The Hospitality of Abraham". What is so different from the Western depictions of the Trinity is the equality of the three ﬁgures and the way the eye moves from one to the other in a circular or triangular way. From left to right, the ﬁgures represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Because God is beyond our sight, He is shown in strangely vaguecolored robes. We see the Son cloaked in blue, traditional color of the incarnation, and the Holy Spirit in green, the color of life and power. Later renderings of the Trinity follow Rublev's composition, unrivaled in its harmony and clarity.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). And John says, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true” (1John
5:20). So, one of the reasons God sent His Son to us was so we could

know more about the nature of God. So the answer to the question, “Where do we get the knowledge about God?”, is through our observation of Creation, the Scriptures and especially the life of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Beware of self-delusion
Knowing God is something that we cannot do on our own, because our minds are clouded by all the activities and assumptions of our current culture that basically denies God. We can easily make up theories based on assumptions buried deep in our subconscious mind. We must be aware that our mind can easily deceive us and even lead us into believing that there is no God. We need to be very careful. This does not mean that we don’t use our minds to know God, but we must have caution and seek proper guidance. To know God as best we can, we need to follow the guidance of those who have purified their minds through an exemplary Christian life allowing themselves to become capable of contemplating the exalted truths. In the Book of Matthew Jesus tells us, Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8) Such people are often referred to as holy persons. Our Holy Church Fathers were supreme examples of such a person. Most commonly, our parish Priest is a good one to start with to help us along the path to knowing God. Alternately, a monk at a local monastery can also be helpful to us.

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From Scripture
Saint John the Theologian writes, “But when the Helper

What does the Bible tell us about God?
Here are some references to what is said about God in the Bible: When Moses stood at the burning bush and asked by what name should he call Him, God replied, I AM WHO I AM
(Ex. 3:14) (Jehovah in Hebrew)

comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”
(John 15:26)

We can see that this relationship shows the mystical inner relations of the Persons in God and the life of God within Himself. Saint Matthew says,

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
(Rev 1:8)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matt 28:19)

God is Spirit - the words to the Samaritan woman (John 4:24) The Lord is that Spirit (II Cor 3:17) God is light, and in Him is no darkness at a+ (1 John 1:5) God is love (I John 4:8, 16) Our God is a consuming ﬁre (Heb 12:29)
The Fathers of the Orthodox Church use the expression, “He who is above all being” to describe God. Since we cannot know His essence we can only speak of some attributes of God. Saint Gregory the Theologian writes, “God is a sea of being, immeasurable and limitless.” Saint Basil the Great says, “God is the fullness of all qualities and perfections in their highest and infinite form.” Saint Ireanaeus of Lyons tells us, God “is simple and incomplex; He is entirely feeling, entirely spirit, entirely thought, entirely mind, entirely source of all good things.”

Saint Paul tells us,

“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God , and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.”
(II Cor. 13:14)

Attributes of God
We can only speak of the attributes of God, but not of His essence. Here are some of the attributes of God we know from what has been revealed to us. You need to loosen your rational mind and allow these attributes to resonate with your own essence. Meditate on them and allow your mind to embrace what is not totally rational. Knowing God is more like getting to know a new friend than learning a new subject. Remember that whatever you think God is, that He is not. God is not definable. The following are attributes, qualities or characteristics, but not definitions of God. They cannot limit God in any way.

Again, from the words of Saint John the Theologian,

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.” (1John 5:7)

God as Spirit God is Spirit (John 4:24) The Lord is a Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (IICor 3:17)
God as Eternal

Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They wi+ perish, but You wi+ endure; Yes, they wi+ a+ grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You wi+ change them, And they wi+ be changed. But You are the same, And Your years wi+ have no end. (Ps. 102:25-27)

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The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
It has been a part of Church Doctrine since Apostolic times. Saint Polycarp (70 155) writes, "O Lord God almighty...I bless you and glorify you through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be glory to you, with Him and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever" The Trinitarian doctrine was formalized in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in 325. At this council there were 318 bishops and over 1500 attendees. At the time there was an innovator named Arius from Alexandria who had a different idea about the nature of God. He believed that the Son was only a creature. This meant that there was a time when Christ did not exist. The Church Fathers came together to defend the Apostolic truth. The Apostolic Tradition was upheld and the Creed which we recite to this day was formulated. In their defense of the Tradition they used the example of martyrs who stood witness to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also used the writings of the Apostolic Fathers and other ancient Christian writers. They quoted expressions that were used in the Divine services including the small doxology and others. They also pointed out that the Trinitarian expression was used in baptism from the ﬁrst days of the Church. The defense was overwhelming with evidence of the true path.

God as All Good The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (Ps 103:8) God is love (1John 4:16) God as All-Knowing And there is no creature hidden )om His sight, but a+ things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:13) Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. (Ps 139:16) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Rom 11:33) God as All-Righteous
Means both holiness and justice. Holiness is the presence of higher spiritual values, joined to purity from sin. Angels constantly testify to the holiness of God by ceaselessly crying out Holy, holy, holy is

the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is fu+ of His glory! (Is
6:3)

He sha+ judge the world in righteousness (Ps 9:8) The Lord wi+ render to each one according to his deeds, For there is no partiality with God. (Rom 2:6, 11) God as Almighty - All-Powerful For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. (Ps 33:9) He is the Pantocrator, the almighty or the one who rules over all. He is the one Who only does wondrous things! (Ps 72:18) God as Omnipresent - Present everywhere at the same time. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. (Ps 139:7-10) God is not subject to limits of space, but He ﬁlls everything. He is present in every place. “The Divinity penetrates everything without being mingled with anything, but nothing can penetrate Him.” (St. John Damascene) “That God is present everywhere we know, but how, we do not understand, because we can understand only a sensuous presence, and it is not given to us to

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the Earth. the place and sign of power. at the forehead. the fullness of all good things. The right hand is used. the hand to the forehead may be seen as a prayer to the Father for wisdom. The thumb. and middle ﬁnger are brought to a point. (1Cor 8:4)
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. at the stomach. Amen. and of the Son. index. and a+ things. They are then placed on the forehead. which He will manifest in His own time.” (Saint John Chrysostom)
God as Unchangeable
In the Father of lights. according to Church Fathers: the forehead symbolizes the Heaven.according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God (1 Tim 1:11). since He gives to a+ life. index and middle ﬁnger brought to a point symbolize the Trinity. and the hand to the shoulders as a prayer to the Holy Spirit. "Amen.
In God is the sufﬁciency of all good things. across the shoulders. the stomach. (Acts 17:25) He is all blessed . and of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 11:33. The thumb. with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. "In the name of the Father". the hand to the stomach as a prayer to the Son who become incarnate. "and of the Son". the shoulders. and then from the right shoulder to the other. one recites. the King of kings and Lord of lords. (James 1:17)
God as Self-Sufficing to Himself and All-Blessed Self-sufficing signifies the fullness of possession.
understand fully the Nature of God. Also. the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past ﬁnding out! Exclaims Apostle Paul." There are several interpretations. (1Tim 6:15) God as Unity There is no God but one.Making the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father. 26) God has no need for anything. He who is the blessed and only Potentate. breath. Oh. "and of the Holy Spirit”. then moved down to the sternum. and in the end. complete blessedness. three persons sharing a single essence. or of Him and through Him and to Him are a+ things. The remaining two ﬁngers are kept pressed close together and to the palm. representing the human and divine natures united in Jesus Christ. As one moves through the Sign.

Addressing the question of how it is possible for man to have knowledge of a transcendent and unknowable God.” Our Church Fathers tell us that although God is incomprehensible by nature. but we can experience his energies and be united with the uncreated light of God and through Grace be made like Him. James and John witnessed the transﬁguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
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. These references to light cannot be understood as similes because numerous saints report Light as the presence of Divinity. and valued education and learning more than contemplative prayer. Gregory said that the prophets in fact had greater knowledge of God. that they were seeing the uncreated light of God.” This is the same light that Paul experienced on his way to Damascus. He defended the Orthodox Church from the charges of Barlaam of Calabria who believed that philosophers had better knowledge of God than did the prophets.1359)
He was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece and later Archbishop of Thessalonica known as a preeminent theologian of Hesychasm. He comes in range of our experience by His energies. We can not know the essence of God . It is a visitation from the future age to come and is often called by the Fathers the “light of the eighth Day. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). but not in any automatic or mechanistic fashion. His energies come down to us. “the energies are numerous and the essence of God simple and what we know when we say God is in fact His energies.Gregory Palamas (1296 . because they had actually seen or heard God. being deified by His grace through which all things were made. The Divine uncreated light has the purpose of uniting the creation with God.
God’s Uncreated Energies
Saint Basil the Great writes. Gregory asserted that when Peter. that is. “the righteous shall shine as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father” (Matt 13:43). This is the path to Theosis which is a fundamental teaching of the Orthodox Church. We do not pressure to approach His essence. but His essence remains beyond our reach. We find numerous references to grace and light and these are all what we term uncreated. There are countless Scriptural references to Light: “God is Light” (1John 1:5).workings or activities. This means that He can be contemplated in things that point to Him. Saint Maximos the Confessor says. that we may resemble Him. that we may enter into eternity. he drew a distinction between knowing God in his essence (Greek ousia) and knowing God in his energies (Greek energeiai) . that “God has created us in order that we may become partakers of the Divine Nature. and that it is possible for others to be granted to see that same uncreated light of God with the help of certain spiritual disciplines and contemplative prayer. They are manifested by God to sanctify and transfigure all that God has made.

sometimes as the early church faced many differences regarding Father. shown Himself to us as three Some of the things the persons: the Father. the unknowable aspect of Thus. Church Fathers engaged in an effort to set a boundary around this great mystery of Who is God. Thus. the Son. Scripture clearly says that both the Son ing of the Apostles was being distorted. An extreme view is that they The word Trinity is a comare really different gods. They are not creatures. They are not multiple He is one in essence. the Divine Unity consists lationship we can have with God and the true meanof the Father. God had and Spirit are “of God” and not merely aspects of revealed Himself in different ways in the Scriptures God. The revealed Word shows us that both the Son and the Holy Spirit are uncreated and divine along with the Father. because there is a God because there is only one Father. In this view. The doctrine of the Holy But again we know from Holy Trinity tells us that God is Scripture that there is only one Son three persons in total unity. postatic) attributes. but provided a framework to names for relationships that God has with Himself. There the "Spirit of God. unexplainable mystery. with His Son and His Spirit distinct ing of God’s infinite love. But. the Son and the sons who are really one in essence? Meditating on Spirit are both one with God and in no way sepathis question will give you an idea of the kind of rerated from Him. Make 1. To help resolve such problems. Yet. God does not apther.Holy Trinity: What does this doctrine tell us about God?
Father. others as the Son. One God. and the Spirit proceeds from the Father -pear to us as only one Person. Essence meaning three and unity. from Himself and yet perfectly united together in Him. with very few excepHow can it be one yet be three persons? This is the tions. but has Gods. The Again such a view does not leave room for the realresult is not a simple statement that can be ity that the Spirit and the Son have an exisfully explained. Spirit God. They act with the Father in the act of Creation so cannot be created. The One bination of two words Father is one. Both the Son and Holy Spirit are realities with and some had difficulty making sense out of these different personalities. They are not just different differences. because there still retence and life of their own. But. In the Bible the term "God". this makes them creatures." The Son is born from the Fais not more than one God. They were afraid that the teachSpirit. The resulting doctrine of Himself then they would be mere Father the Holy Trinity is a gift to help illusions. is used primarily as a name for the Father. the Son another. the Son is the "Son of God. the early forms." and the Spirit is God. One Father: There is only one sense? Probably not completely. yet all one in essence. These are separate persons (hypostasis) with individual (hyus about God. They are not simply reus know more fully the living lationships. One is that the Father is God and the Son and Holy Spirit are only creations of the
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. and the Holy Spirit a third. There have been many misunderstandings about the nature of the Trinity. They A third error is where the Son and Spirit are simply did not define God. It is the boundary we have been given. mystery involved that cannot be totally explained. realty of our God. If they were mains the mystery of the essence of only relations that God has with God. and doctrine of the Trinity tells the Holy Spirit.
Another misunderstanding is the idea that God Because God is impossible to define. members of merely appears in different forms . Think about what both in the same timeless and eternal action of the kind of relationship would exists between three perFather's own being. help us to know God as He has been revealed. or sometimes as the Holy the nature of God.

Every attribute of divinity which belongs to God the Father -. proceeding from Him. temporal.. The being. love. Then ask. what are they? And you answer. No one person of the Trinity acts independently of or in isolation from the others. but when we ask who they are we find that individually they are totally different. trunk and fruit of a tree are different parts of one thing called a tree. You see the unity here? Every action of God is the action of the Three. One God. One God: One Divine Action and Will: Whatever the Father wills. blessedness. fire and the warmth and light that result. The Son. the fountain.belongs equally as well to the Son and the Holy Spirit. whatever the Father wills..a hypostasis. the Son and Holy Spirit do also. But. One Divine Nature and Being: What the Father is. share the divine nature with God. when we ask who is God we find the Trinity: Father. Saint Gregory the Theologian writes. Since they are one. Just like when we ask about what a human being is we identify some common attributes of their sameness. but when we ask who they are then we begin to identify that differences in their personalities. a spring of water. the Son and the Holy Spirit will also. existence and life of God the Father. joy -. rather than what he is. These descriptions help us to know more about what God is not. nature. we come up with attributes such as ineffable. and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. power. but have been unable to discover anything on earth with which to compare the Nature of the Godhead. The divine action is essentially one. etc. the root. Three Divine Persons What do we mean when we say they are a person? The Greek word is hypostasis.. physical. being "of one essence" with Him. One Divine Knowledge and Love: Each knows the same Truth and exercises the same Love.. the action of all is the action of each. 3. inconceivable.” So no matter what analogies we come up with. Some of the other ways the early Church Fathers attempted to explain the unexplainable were as follows: the sun and its rays of light. In the revelation of God to us through the Scripture. knowledge. We have to remember that we are trying to describe God who is indescribable.2. If the creaturely knowledge of men can unite minds in full unanimity. The Son is pre-eternally begotten of the Father. Each person of the Trinity knows and loves the others with such absolute perfection. invisible. and if the creaturely love of men can bring the divided together into one heart and one soul and even one flesh as in marriage. three candles burning simultaneously giving off a single light. how incomparably more perfect and absolutely uniting must be the oneness when the Knowers and Lovers are eternal and divine. 4. 5. They share the same human nature (essence in the case of God) and have the following attribute: created. wisdom. Think about this. incomprehensible. the Son and the Holy Spirit are absolutely and identically one and the same. and eternally the same. essence.
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. God the Father is known as unbegotten.. they are all unsatisfactory to explain the unity and diversity of the Holy Trinity to the satisfaction of our rational minds. When we ask what God is. A person is one who has existence and life . Since they are one. but when we seek as to find what each is we come up with the same attributes surrounding His unknowable essence.. It highlights their differing personalities. holiness. the Son and the Holy Spirit also will. There is no will and no action of God the Father which is not at the same time the will and action of the Son and the Holy Spirit. and love that there is nothing unknown and nothing unloved of each in the others. and the Spirit. rational. The action of each is the action of all. Whatever the Father does. born of the Father. truth. purity. ever existing. Son and Holy Spirit. As humans they are the same. “I have carefully considered this matter with my own mind. to find some likeness. they are humans. We must accept with humbleness the mystery that surrounds knowledge of God. we do not know fully what this distinction means. they all have the same truth and exercise the same love.life.
How do the Church Fathers explain the Holy Trinity?
One way our early Church Fathers explain this doctrine of the Trinity is to think of three people. One God. the Son and Spirit are also. While we are
taught about the distinction between being begotten and proceeding. and the river that feeds it. He is not a single person but three who are in essence one. we see that He has been shown to us in three different persons.

The knowledge of one is to become the knowledge of the other.
work on this loving relationship to help them both come closer to God. He says that “the closer we are to God." as the New Testament calls them. doing the things that he did and becoming sons of God in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. He also said. As we move from the rim to the center towards God we come closer together. The Word “incarnates” himself in the Law as given to Moses.” (Mk 10:27) We can become like Christ. Think about this loving relationship.
Divine Love
Each person of the Trinity knows the same Truth and exercises he same love. the closer we will come to God. He commanded us "to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). The Spirit inspires the Prophets to encourage the people to honor and recognize their creator. It is a model of perfect love. Both the Law and the Prophets are revelations of God.
How does the Holy Trinity Operate in Christian Life?
Christ gave us the new commandment for Christian life. God took special actions for our salvation. The intimacy gained in a marital relationship strives toward this end. In a marriage we are called to model this perfect love. "For with God all things are possible. that preﬁgure the total revelation in the "fullness of time" of the Incarnation. The love of each is the Love of all. One is the love for the other. This aﬃrms that God is in all places and ﬁlls all things. The Holy Spirit is in us and all creation. But Christ also told us that we cannot live the Christian life without the grace of the Holy Spirit.What are some practical benefits of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity?
Holy Trinity indicates a closeness to God. Isn’t this what happens in the sacrament of marriage where the couple is united to become one ﬂesh?. To carry out this love means to be like the relationship that exists in the Holy Trinity which may seem like an impossibility. The closer we are to one another the closer we become to God. "This is my commandment. Throughout the Old Testament.
We can think of God the Father as being above us as the ever ﬂowing source of love. The Word and the Spirit are sent to the Old Testament saints.” We can think of this relationship as spokes in a wheel with God at the hub. Christ showed us how and the Holy Spirit now provides us with God’s grace to become like God. there are partial revelations. the Trinity is the model of perfect love to be attained in marriage.
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. If we unite our minds in full unanimity with another person and act as with one mind and soul what would this be like?. Dorotheos of Gaza has a useful model about love. There is nothing unknown and nothing unloved of each in the other. God is always with and close to us. The more we learn to love in our marriage. that you love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 15:12). to continually
How does it relate to our Salvation?
After the Fall. the closer we become to one another. There is to be nothing unknown and nothing unloved of each in the other. As you can see. The Son of God is with us begotten by the Father. This is the path of a married person to take for salvation. or "shadows. They are to have the same love for each other.

Positing that somethe Spirit through the Son to thing can be shared by two Perthe Father. uncreatedness. and we in so forth. prepared. It is still what is its significance? a diﬀerence in doctrine be-
REVIEW
What is “Filioque”?
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. is common to all. Traditional thought sion." (Eph 4:13) the Son. as is ity: the Father through the Son eternality. Fatherever. and in the Spirit to us. and procession unique In the NT we have the full to the Spirit. The Church's unity becomes What are our sources for dependent on an oﬃce. The onlyWhy is this change so signiﬁcant? It is prebegotten Son is born fully man and fully God. The Word becomes ﬂesh. If the Holy Spirit proceeds from (the principle power of the devil). What are the roles of the from the Son as well as from three persons? the Father. It Then through His teachings. being the source of Orthodox Christianity is the the Spirit's procession). the balance of How do we know God? The Fathers of the Church unity and diversity is deWhat is the difference beunanimously claim that Chrisstroyed. The Orthodox Chrisdenigrated.e. tion important? in the most genuine and realisThus. is to elevate those and the “deiﬁcation” of man by two Persons at the expense of the grace of God. but not “acquisition of the Holy Spirit” the other. makabout the Trinity is that for any given trait. Thus. or theosis. theology? vine in union with God. stature of the fullness of while begottenness is unique to Christ. must be either common to all capable of attaining His perfecPersons of the Trinity or unique tion (theosis) by growing forto one of them. Many view that this tween his essence and entian life is the participation in change undermines the role of ergies? Why is this distincthe life of the blessed Trinity the Holy Spirit in the Church. After His Ascention to the Holy Spirit. sacriﬁcial death upsets the balance of the three persons of the and Resurrection He claims victory over death Holy Trinity. the Holy Spirit is given to all men. "to the measure of the hood is unique to the Father.Once the world was made ready:The Virgin is tween the East and the West. with the role Spirit being tic way. and shows us the Son then it puts the Son in a superior posithe way to union with God. howmanifestation of the Holy Trinever. his traditional minWhat is meant by apophatic tian life is about becoming diistries are eﬀaced or replaced. Godhood. Thus. This is the assert the doctrine of the proHoly Trinity? orientation that did develop in cession of the Holy Ghost the Western church. it ing them sons of the Father. and a spirit of sion of the Nicene Creed to What is the doctrine of the legalism prevails. The essence of sons (i. the other. It was one How can it be useful to us? of the central issues in the What is the “Filioque” and Great Schism of 1054. spiriknowing God? tuality becomes adherence to What to we need to be cauthe letter of the law rather tious about. sacraments Filioque is the word that was come to be understood in What is the uncreated Light? inserted in the Western verterms of validity.. cisely because it changes the nature of God. than its spirit. This was an innoWhy do we have such a vation in the Western Church doctrine? and done without an Ecumenical Council.

it was very good. What about the purpose of our earthly life? Created in God’s likeness we are destined to become like God.
(Gen 1:1. that the creation was Good. and that it is not an eternal creation but will come to an end. how are we to interpret Genesis? Since the acts of creation are beyond our understanding. We know that the creation was a sequential process. God saw everything that He had made.1:31)
How was the World Created?
What was the process of Creation? Was it made out of something? Did it happen all at once?
What is the Nature of the World?
Is evil inherent in the world?
God has revealed to us just a glimpse of the process of His creation in the book of Genesis. behold.Chapter 3
How Was The World Created?
Our spiritual potential cannot be actualized unless the way in which we represent to ourselves the physical universe and manʼs place in it accords with things as they are in reality… There must be a correlation between the the way in which God actually creates and sustains the world and the way in which we ourselves conceive it. How about mankind. How about our soul? How was it created and what is its nature? God gave us an immortal soul. So. We now have lots of information about the universe from scientiﬁc exploration. God created man and women who were intended to live together in Paradise. Its natural state is to control the body so it can act in union with the will of God. What do we know about the process of creation? God is the Creator who created out of nothing. We were created to be in communion with God or theosis. God created us out of his love and we are intended to live with Him eternally in Paradise
How was Man Created?
What is meant by being created in the “likeness” of God?
What was the purpose of manʼs creation? What is the nature of the Soul and how was it created?
Do we have an immortal soul?
What is the difference between our natural condition and our present condition?
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. if we are to realize the relationship with and participation in the divine that is also the reality of our own most innermost being. we must interpret what is written in Genesis as a spiritual description about events that took place before there was time. It is so vast that we readily accept that our total knowledge about creation is very limited. and. Oskar Molisz How are we to Interpret Genesis?
How are to interpret what is meant by six days?
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…. how were humans created? From Genesis we know that man was created as the highest of God’s creation and created in God’s image and likeness.

According to tradition. They felt such exploration can lead us to know God by appreciating its awesome beauty and wonder. But religion is based on faith which is based on our trust and belief in God. As theologians. the Torah was translated into Greek (the Septuagint. They were actively engaged in the sacramental life of the Church. A scientiﬁc approach is limited because its tools and methods are limited to the study of the physical attributes. Religion and science use diﬀerent methods. or 70. We must not look to a spiritual document like the Bible to tell us about the mechanics of the physical
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. Relatively complete manuscripts of the LXX (i. They had little scientiﬁc knowledge when compared to what is generally known today. They knew the Scriptures. But we don’t believe Genesis gives us full knowledge about how God created. Science uses the physical world to search for an understanding of how things work. the Septuagint) include the Codex Vaticanus and the Codex Sinaiticus of the 4th century and the Codex Alexandrinus of the 5th century . we must resist making our own interpretations and seek help from those who have greater wisdom that ourselves.Book of Genesis
How are we to Interpret Genesis?
How are we as Orthodox Christians to interpret Genesis? First. the traditional Jewish. and later Christian.. We must begin our understanding of the Creation story in Genesis by studying what they have written. We believe that all Scripture is given to us through Divine inspiration. There are minor variations between the Greek and Hebrew texts.e. Leviticus. We cannot discount what it says or relegate it to an ancient outdated myth. They prayed and meditated for long periods each day. Therefore. Because it is a spiritual text. Exodus. how he created. Although the text of Genesis makes no claim about authorship. and 1st century BC fragments of Genesis. Deuteronomy. from the traditional number of translators) in the 3rd century BC. Truth comes from a relationship one has with God. Orthodox consider Genesis literally in the sense that God did Create the heavens and earth. the idea of a “day” in Genesis cannot be the same as we know it today. but is about the spiritual nature of God who is the Creator and the proper relationship of Mankind with Him.
There are many who insist on a strict literal interpretation of Genesis and believe that the seven days of Creation are the same as our current measure of seven twenty-four hour days. and encouraged Christians to explore the natural world. The Holy Fathers were steeped in wisdom about the spiritual realm. Orthodoxy has not been involved in arguments that pit science against Religion. yet they embraced what was known at that time about the physical world. and the Minor Prophets. they had a direct experience with God. The main point is that it is God who created all that we know including humankind. The Church Fathers were not scientist but were theologians. and between the three oldest Greek texts. But we must remember that creation took place out of nothing and before time existed. They had a deep personal relationships with God. belief was that the ﬁve books of the Torah were dictated by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.these are the o l d e st s u rvi v i n g n e a rl ycomplete manuscripts of the Old Testament in any language. we must respect the Text and recognize that it contains the Truth. They accepted that science can never give us the whole truth. Genesis is not a scientiﬁc journal article. The oldest Greek manuscripts include 2nd century BC fragments of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Numbers. because it it limited to a study of the physical realm. our Church Fathers have written extensively on this subject to guide us (see sidebar on next page). Fortunately. It was a way to know God through his Creation. We must seek out their wisdom accepting their limited scientiﬁc knowledge and remain humble in making our own interpretations about Biblical texts.

407)
realm. Genesis gives us some important supraspiritual knowledge about Creation for the beneﬁt of our salvation.1022)
The Sin of Adam
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. It also tells us about the vocation of humankind. our purpose and our task. They are two simply diﬀerent approaches. There is natural knowledge that comes from our senses. It is the result of a direct revelation from God through Moses. We would not have the wonders of modern medicine and the advancement in living conditions if we did. We have to be humble and accept that the story of Creation is something that is beyond our total comprehension. There is a place for science as there is one for the study of spiritual matters. This is the knowledge of science. With great gratitude let us accept what is related (by Moses). We should not mix them. And then there is supra-spiritual knowledge which is based on direct divine revelations to the soul. Genesis is a very important Book for Orthodox Theology.
Homilies on Genesis On the Creation of Life
Saint Ephraim the Syrian (306 .397)
Hexaemeron
Saint Gregory of Nyssa (335 . before the creation of this physical world. It can never be fully explained to us creatures. what was it like? The answer is simply that we don’t know. Saint John Chrysostom writes. wishing to comprehend everything with their minds.Church Fathers
Here is a list of some of their writings that we can use to help us understand the meaning of Genesis. and not testing what is above us as the enemies of truth did when. There is spiritual knowledge that comes from the spirit of immaterial realities. It emphasizes our need to honor and recognize God as our Creator. We must accept that the process of Creation is series of miracles. It is beyond the reach of science.373)
Interpretation of the Books of the Bible
Saint Basil the Great (330 -379)
Hexaemeron (Six Days) On the Origin of Man
Saint Ambrose of Milan (340 .749)
On the Orthodox Faith
Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949 . There can be no conﬂict between what is revealed to us thorough a scientiﬁc exploration of God’s creation and the Truth of His revealed Word in the Scriptures. Saint John Chrysostom (347 . It is a mystery. not stepping out of our own limitations. The six days are miracles which are not conﬁned to the natural laws which can be seen as the hand of God governing the world which we now observe. The six days of creation also produced the laws of nature. Ask yourself. There are three kinds of knowledge. they did not realize that Human nature cannot comprehend the creation of God. The knowledge presented in Genesis is supra-spiritual knowledge. We are the created and are therefore forever limited in what we can know about the nature of the Creator and his powers and methods.394)
On the Making of Man
Saint John of Damascas (676 .

of the heavens and the terrestrial marvels. because "ﬁrst He conceived. and perfectly by His Spirit. "It begins to be.
The world did not form itself. but is dependent on the will of God. and the Holy Spirit is the one "in whom are a+ things". they come to learn about the Divine wisdom and the Divine energies. As St. St. As such. prayer. The world is a production of God's free will. goodness. We see how the elements which are opposed to one another by nature are all woven together towards the same purpose by some inexplicable association.. Basil the Great said. 7:28). Those whose nature tends upward are carried downward. Beholding the heavens and the earth. nor are the destroyed in one another by a confusion of their opposite qualities. you wi+ understand that God has created it a+ )om nothing (2 Macc.
and the very substance of the creation owes its beginning to change". "We should understand in the creation the original cause of the Father as a founding cause. “Everything that He (God the Creator) had made . although it is one in nature. and the cause of the Spirit as an implementing one. The world was brought into being out of non-being and not created out of an eternally existing material.was very good" (Gen.. The cosmos is a coherent whole. God created
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. a genesis produced by the Word of God. meditation and science. wisdom. and seeing
a+ that is there. and His conception was a work carried out by His Word. is a mystery (mysterion) for the human mind. 93:1). and the other helping the creation to respond to His call and communicating perfection to it. the one calling the creation and leading it to the Father. The community of three Persons participates actively in the execution of the whole of God's plan.. as th e w armth of the sun streams down its rays. Thus. as when water contrary to its own nature moves upward. producing appropriate growth in all that exists. love and omnipotence. a created synthesis. each one contributing its own power for the permanence of the whole. This transition from non-existence is a change brought about by God's creative Word "who has established the world so that it sha+
not be moved" (Ps. Things which cannot be mixed or joined together according to their proper qualities nevertheless do not separate from one another. are we not taught plainly from our observations ha as divine Power fits the parts together with th e whole and fulfills the whole in the parts? Saint Gregory of Nyssa
How Was the World Created?
The Cappadocian Church Fathers teach that God first creates the world and beautifies it like a palace. can help one see and appreciate the the integrity of creation. Gregory of Nyssa aﬃrms. carried through the air by winds… The moisture of rain poured out on earth. Thus. The created world is distinct in essence from God. when its intelligent inhabitants see it as cosmos. begets a multitude of different plants. A serious study of the mystery of creation. the world is a revelation of God (Rom. Heavy bodies are lightened and rarified in vapors. the cause of the Son as a creative. the Son is the one "through whom a+ things were made"..Creation Proclaims its Maker
Creation openly proclaims its Maker… We see the harmony of the universe. through faith. because all its elements are united and interrelated in time and space. When we see all these with intellectual eye of the soul. the creation is the result of the close relationship and cooperation of the Holy Trinity. 1:31). God did not create out of necessity. 1:19-20)." Thus the Father is the "Creator of a+ things".” Creation is the action of the Son bringing God the Father’s desire into existence and the Holy Spirit perfecting it in goodness and beauty. and then leads humanity into it. The genesis of the cosmos.

”
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.. herbs and fruit-bearing trees on the Earth.) The light is divided from the darkness. and rests from His work. They are told to "be fruitful..
so that other beings. accompanied by all creatures. glorifying Him. Sixth day: God creates wild beasts. and ﬁll the earth.. Third day: God gathers the waters together. The creation of man is related to coming last. to the contemplation of invisible things. as for a king. since for him . thirdness. to separate light from darkness and to mark days. Second day: God creates a ﬁrmament and divides the waters above it from the waters below. Two great lights are made (note: they are not named). for Whom to think or to speak means already to perform the deed. He then creates Man and Woman in His "image" and "likeness". and subdue it. including "great sea serpents" or "great whales".Seven Days of Creation
First day: God creates light. as well as the stars. but has appeared in time. The account of Creation in Genesis clearly shows us that the world does not exist eternally. by the Almighty Word..” Saint Gregory of Nyssa writes. Seventh day: God ﬁnishes his work of creation. honored by the handiwork and image of God. Saint Gregory the Theologian says: “There is a certain firstness. and multiply. and so on to the seventh day of rest from works. They are commanded to be fruitful and multiply. but was created in sequence. .”
“The world was not conceived by chance and without reason. as by a hand. Fifth day: God creates birds and sea creatures. the royal dwelling had to be prepared and only then was the king to be led in. Further. but for an useful end and for the great advantage of all beings. The ﬁrmament is named "heaven"." Humans and animals are given plants to eat.. livestock and reptiles upon the Earth. who took up into himself every single form of life. it did not appear in a single instant. this is not in the least surprising. by sight of visible and sensible things the mind is led. it is described by some as a "primordial light". (The source of light is not mentioned. and by these days is divided all that is created. being brought into order by unutterable laws. Then God brings forth grass. might be participants in His goodness. Thus we may suppose that nature makes an ascent as it were by steps--I mean the various properties of life-from the lower to the perfect form. “Scripture shows the vital forces blended with the world of matter according to a gradation: ﬁrst. If man appeared in the world last.what is perfect comes last. He blesses and sanctiﬁes the seventh day. according to a certain necessary sequence in the order of things.. "Earth" and "sea" are named. seasons and years. the training ground where they learn to know God. both that of plants and that which is seen in animals.. then ascended to intelligent and rational beings. then advanced into the sentient world. Fourth day: God creates lights in the ﬁrmament of Heaven. it infused itself into insensate nature. secondness. but not produced in an instant. The totality of creation is described by God as "very good". it is really the school where reasonable souls exercise themselves. and "day" and "night" are named. and dry land appears.

. In his theology. man is something great…
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. Was present at the Second Ecumenical Council where he was a defender of the Nicene Creed. “Let us make man in Our image. and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. man is nothing and has no value.Saint Gregory of Nyssa
How was Man Created? Man is the highest creation of God on earth. God's transcendence.. He was a younger brother of Basil the Great. 1:26-27)
Adam and Eve were created by God after all the other created beings and in a different way. maintaining it in its integrity and perfecting it by opening it up to God through our own deification. This idea has had a profound inﬂuence on the Eastern Orthodox teaching regarding theosis or "divinization". more like God. Presence of God’s image in man testifies to a reflection of the very attributes of God in man’s spiritual nature. He become bishop of Nyssa in 372. Gen. 1:28). humanity's goal is to become more and more perfect. but rather than return to an unchanging state. This indicates not only the outstanding position of the human being in the whole of the creation. and man became a living soul (Gen 2:7). Only the human being combines both material and spiritual elements. Saint Basil the Great: If you consider nature alone.
God said. after our likeness. and a good friend of Gregory Nazianzus. caring for it.” (Gen. God formed man of the dust of the earth. and
let him have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air… and over all the earth… So God created man in His own image. even though humanity will never understand. in the image of God created He him. They were created by the direct involvement and action of God from elements already created. but also a special relationship to God. to be stewards (oikonomoi) of God's material world. God himself has always been perfect and has never changed. much less attain. but if you regard the honor with which he has been created. We are called to exercise dominion over all creatures on earth (cf. Showing the greater care God had for man than other creatures. Man was a distinct creation having a higher purpose than the rest of creation. Gregory described the ideal of human perfection as constant progress in virtue and godliness.e. and never will. i. Humanity fell from grace in the Garden of Eden.
Saint Theodorete: God created all other creatures with His word but Man He created with His own hands. Body and soul were formed at the same time.

and this is His image. and because of his God-inspired theological thought. But. The likeness comes from the moral perfecting of humankind in virtue and sanctity as he acquires the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His father ordained him presbyter of the Church of Nazianzus.” to perfect himself in “His likeness. we must acquire the likeness given this possibility from God. Man was a distinct creation with a higher purpose on earth that the rest of creation. To become morally perfected in virtue and sanctity through the acquirement of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. and St. God wants us to glorify Him and to be
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. We receive the image of God with our existence. but he was created for deification. He was elected Archbishop of Constantinople by the Second Ecumenical Council. This is our purpose. he received the surname "Theologian. For us to become in the likeness of God depends on our free will. living the monastic life together with him for a time in the hermitages of Pontus. which assembled there in 381.
Most of our Church Fathers teach that there is a diﬀerence between the image of God and His likeness. He was made to “live in Him. for in the Deity is the fulness of good.
He is also known as Gregory of Nazianzus. not far from Nazianzus. then the image finds its resemblance to the Archetype in being fulfilled with all good."
We can grow to become like God. Basil consecrated him Bishop of Sasima.” to “glorify Him. He was born in 329 in Arianzus. The first man was not deified at the time of his creation.” and to be the chief “priest of all earthly creation. he is considered to have surpassed the Greek writers of antiquity. The image is the very nature of the soul.” Saint Gregory of Nyssa: This is the same as to say He made human nature participant in all good.Saint Gregory the Theologian
Man is created in the image and likeness of God
The presence of God’s image in man testifies to a reflection of the very attributes of God in man’s spiritual nature. Gregory became Basil's fellow ascetic. Because of the beauty of his writings. After their studies at Athens. He wrote both prose and poems in every type of meter. a village of the second district of Cappadocia.

to glorify Him.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
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. are not mere symbolic rites.Sacramental Life
God's life is infused into the physical world and mingled with it. while physical in their outward expression. God also made us as his chief priests and to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God on the behalf of all those born on earth. the Orthodox Church has recognized seven mysteries for sacraments: baptism. the eucharist. We have innate within us a striving to move towards Him. without change or confusion. sharing in the power of the holy mysteries. It is important to emphasize the human factor as well. itself becomes a sacrament. and the names of all the fish in the sea… A man may know all the thoughts of men and fortell their destinies and reveal every mystery that the earth holds in its inner recesses… If he has not the fear of God his knowledge is of as much use as a water in a sieve. Each Christian life. the priesthood. penance. The outward signs of the mysteries convey grace tangibly. but by the very presence of the Holy Spirit in them. so the mysteries are the power by which the Church sanctiﬁes people. chrismation. We are to unite all of creation with God and thus keep the whole chain of earthly creatures in a harmonious bond and order. and the anointing of the sick (Euche-
faithful in our union with Him. illumines. sanctiﬁes and deiﬁes human life in his uncreated divine energies through the these mysteries. puriﬁes. since salvation is accomplished by God in cooperation (synergy) with humanity.
A man may know the number of the stars in the heavens. marriage. We are called to perfect ourselves and to guard our likeness with God and restore it. to acknowledge Him as the Creator. In recent centuries. The mysteries. finally to rejoice in union with Him. It is through the mysteries or the sacraments of the Church that we are prepared for our future life in Paradise. As the Church is the perpetual extension of Christ. God touches. not of themselves. The holy mysteries are neither magic nor mechanical operations.

who denied the immorality of the soul. so we might think of it as the breath of God that God breathed into man when he was made and given life. It is like the body is the tool of an artist and that artist is the soul.
The word soul (ψυχή psychē) in Greek means life or vital breath. (Eccl. We do know that it does not preexist as in the philosophy of Plato. Our present condition is a difficult and unnatural one as the body is in control of the soul and the soul is separated from God as illustrated on the left in the diagram below. eternal in the heavens. it endures being mixed with what is of the dust. a house not made with hands. Paul tells us. At death the body and soul temporally separate. 12:7) Jesus often pointed to the immortality of the soul as the foundation of a pious life. if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved. but this is not a separation forever. and lose his
own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt 16:26) Also. Fear not them which kill the body..having a desire to depart. It is mixed like the yeast is with flour to form bread.. how the soul originates in an individual is not known.
Images From the Hubble Telescope
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.23). Saint Gregory the Theologian says that the soul is the breath of God. and while being heavenly. It is totally different than anything material.Outer Space
Do Y ou Know Y our Soul?
The soul is a substance that is distinct from the body yet totally integrated with it. a view the Church has rejected. It is not a natural condition for the soul to be subject to the impulses of the body. and characteristic of the body to accept this governance. Paul teaches. At the General Resurrection we will arise in a new renewed form uniting body and soul. For in this we groan. but are not able to kill the soul (Matt 10:28). and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it. What is a man profited. if he shall gain the whole world. He condemned the Saducces. The apostle Paul said that the "body wars against" the soul.
Soul is meant to govern the body
From the early Church Fathers we learn that it is characteristic of the soul to govern the strivings of the body. For we know that. to keep it under control. Basically. but remains a mystery.
For me …to die is gain. we have a building of God. This view predated the New testament times. earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven (II Cor 5:1-2). The soul is capable of entering into warfare with the strivings of the body as if it is something foreign to it and hostile to it and able to gain victory over it. and that "I buffet my body".
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was. and to be with Christ (Phil 1:21. This is far different from the natural condition shown on the right where the Soul is in harmony with God and directs the body.
Soul is immortal
The soul is immortal and this is one of the most fundamental aspects of our Christian faith.

This task requires God’s grace. Some see it as reason.Review
What is the relationship of science and religion? How do you go about interpreting the Bible? Who created the Universe? Why? How was the Trinity involved? How was Man created? What is the signiﬁcance of Manʼs creation? What is the nature of our soul? What is manʼs purpose? What is our task? How do we accomplish it? Our major challenge and responsibility as humans is to ask God to help our soul regain its control over the bodily demands (passions). The sacraments of the Church help us in this task. this image of necessity resides in the our soul. others as free will.
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. But since we know that God is not clothed by a kind of body like our flesh and bones. Of course we must first recognize this condition and have sufficient humbleness to ask for God’s help and forgiveness. In Genesis we learned that man was created in the likeness and image of God. and others immortality. It may well be all of these. Scripture only says that man was created “in the image of God” but does not tell us what part manifests this image.

Saint John Chrysostom writes.
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.
Homilies on Genesis 13:4. the birds of the air and over every creeping thing on earth and all the earth. Theophilos of Antioch
What was life like in Paradise? What was the role of the Snake? What is sin? How did man fall? What was the sin of Adam? What were the consequences of the fall? What is meant by Original Sin in the West? How does it differ from the Orthodox view?
What is life in Paradise like?
The first humans were Adam and Eve.” In the middle of this garden was the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He was free from bodily needs. by disobedience gained his expulsion from Paradise. they were not inflamed with lust. he took delight in the dwelling of Paradise. Before the fall men lived in Paradise like angels. Man lived on earth like an angel. There were no passions and he had responsibilities and a challenge. he was in the body.” It was a most beautiful place with “every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.Chapter 4
What is the Fall of Mankind?
The ﬁrst man. and. but he had no bodily needs. were not kindled by other passions either. grief. He had no fear of death and felt no suffering. fell prey to death. were not burdened with bodily needs. labor. God told Adam. but was created for deification. God put them in the Garden of Eden or Paradise and it was their duty to “till and keep it. but being created entirely incorruptible and immortal. having an abundance in everything….” They lived without
clothes as there were no bodily passions as they were totally focused on God. they did not even need the covering of clothing. Man was created in the image and likeness of God and was given dominion over the fish of the seas. the kingdom of Heaven where man lived in communion with God. but from the fact of his disobedience did man draw. “You May freely eat of
every tree of the garden. adorned with purple and a diadem and clothed in royal garb. 15:4
The Garden of Eden was a special place made for man alone. at last. like a king. Not as if any evil existed in the tree of knowledge. but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.
St. for in the day that you do you will die. as from a fountain. He was not deified.

He tempted Her. forming an army of angels. or God. I myself am a divinity!" Satan rose against his Lord and took with him a large number of spirits who accepted his authority. he fell and left his dwelling in heaven.” Then the serpent said to the woman. who is also called "Satan" or "the enemy.Lucifer . For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened. that the devil. nor minutes of days. and entered into conﬂict with the fallen spirits. (Gen 3: 16)
See how cunning the snake is here? He tells no lies but twists the truth to mislead Eve. Being made in the image and likeness of God Adam and Eve both had a free will. He forgot that he owed all to God.
What where the consequences of their sin?
One of the first results was that they became ashamed that they were naked and they covered themselves with fig leaves. and he ate. and the rebels were hurled into the abyss. and you will be like God..The Devil
Tradition tells us. What were they to do now that they were separated from God?
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. This is the nature of sin to separate from God. that all his perfections were the gift of God. “You will not surely die. knowing good and evil. Paradise is one glorious day without routine work or sleep. The Archangel Michael took command of the angels who remained faithful to God. She also gave to her husband with her. They could choose to stay faithful to God and be His servant. even God Himself. and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Lucifer had been richly endowed by the Creator and should have ever held his eyes on the Lord. their bodily desires (passions) took charge.centered) because of their lack of clothing." was created as a mighty and beautiful archangel. years. I myself am divine.
Paradise is an image of the age to come. but instead he concentrated his attention on his own perfection. Long before the creation of the material world took place this war which was waged between the angels of light and the spirits of darkness. "is there any who is equal to me? Any angel .. This is where we are destined to return if we have faith and follow the way of Christ. fell in love with it and was seized with pride. "the lightbearer". and for this reason he was given the name Lucifer. that it was pleasant to the eyes.. But light conquered darkness. They began the passionate earthly life that we all now participate in.
What went wrong in Paradise?
Adam and Eve were happily engaged in their life in Paradise when a snake came to Eve. They ignore His directions. But when he chose to disobey the will of God. They were no longer in contemplation of God. nor shall you touch it. Has God indeed said. Their soul was no longer in communion with God. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him. This is how sin and evil enters into the picture. she took of its fruit and ate. ‘You shall not eat it. lest you die. God has said. months. a future that has no cycles of seasons. and they became ashamed (self.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food. but were now self-centered in their bodies. Here we see both of them choosing to turn away from a trusting relationship with God. “Where are you?
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. And he said to the woman.
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. become self-centered and to act based on our own will without regard for God. the everlasting day. one of the most perfect and radiant. thereby separating themselves from Him and instead relying on their own will. He was so blinded by the idea of his own greatness and considered. He tricked her. “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden. “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden”? And the woman said to the serpent. and a tree desirable to make one wise. but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden.

” He called. It was through their sin that death entered into the world. and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. They showed no humility in the face of God. They acted out of their own self interest separate from God.
What are the consequences of this first sin?
Man still had the image of God.” Their bodies became grossly material and became subject to sickness. the one who wi+s to do good. God knew where they were. “Behold. “Where are you. that I practice. corruption and death.”
Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake. but sin that dwe+s in me. and I ate. for to wi+ is present with me. which is eternal life. (Rom 5:12) The wages of sin is death. to know good and evil. We hear this repeated by Saint Paul several times. God was calling to bring them back into relationship with Him. to guard the way to the tree of life. This is what we call “ancestral sin. for them to repent. it is no longer I who do it.How Saint Paul Experiences Sin
We know they were separated from God because He had to call to them. lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life. for that all have sinned. and I hid myself. warring against the law of my mind. Now instead of eternal life in union with God. but the evil I wi+ not to do. now separated from Him. but it was now “tarnished” or “dimmed. They respond with self-justification.” “The woman whom You gave to be with me. but how to perform what is good I do not ﬁnd. Being separated from God. and I ate. I ﬁnd then a law. And now. in my ﬂesh) nothing good dwe+s. and a flaming sword which turned every way.
Then the Lord God said. and death by sin. could they respond properly? What did they do? Adam says: “I was afraid because I was naked. They now knew evil and were blinded by it. They thought they could become like God. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. the man has become like one of Us. and so death passed upon all men.” We do not inherit the
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. Paul says:
As by one man sin entered into the world. This is the condition we inherit from Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found themselves separated from God because of their pride. and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. The Garden with the tree of life was no longer open for them. Neither of them accepted responsibility for the bad choice they had made. (Rom 6:23)
What was the sin? It was pride. But I see another law in my members.” Eve says:
For I know that in me (that is. (Rom 7:18 -23)
“The serpent deceived me. Having lost the contemplation of God. I do not do. So He drove out the man. (Gen 3:22-24)
They no longer had access to the tree of life. Now if I do what I wi+ not to do. and eat. and ask for forgiveness. to acknowledge their poor choice. For the good that I wi+ to do. and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden. she gave me of the tree. they were now destined to suffer the consequences of eating of the tree of knowledge that God had described to Adam earlier. that evil is present with me. and being more interested in their naked bodies. but that they were separated from Him and no longer in communion with Him.

it seems to me that . For forced love is not really love. so did this most sacred domain of his have the twofold aspect of being perceptible both to the senses and to the mind. like some one of the angels. Now. not willingly. reason. all that God created was good. Death is the major power of the devil which Christ cam to free us from. but we inherit the consequence of his sinfulness. we must be able to freely choose to do so. not God. while in his body he dwelt in this most sacred and superbly beautiful place. He was wrapped about with His grace. But along with freedom goes the possibility of making the wrong choices and being subject to temptation. for the sweetness of Divine contemplation communicates a life uninterrupted by death to them that partake of it. but we are part of a larger interrelated system.
How about our difficult sufferings?
Suffering began with the Fall. God is not the cause of moral evil. Our Creator created man in His image and gave man three great gifts at his creation: freedom.
How about misfortune?
Misfortunes such as storms or accidents are not in themselves evil or good. God’s plan was for man to become like God so this possibility was part of man’s creation. Being tempted for reason is to become proud in mind. and
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. The cause of evil was in the actions of Adam and Eve that separated them from God. 20-21)
Evil is a deviation from the original condition of Paradise. Evil in the world is a consequence of falling out of union with God. It is man who creates this separation. The causes of diseases and sufferings are men themselves. Evil comes from a separation from God and consists of the violation of God’s will. For. Consequences of moral evil spread from people to the animal world and to the whole of creation.
(Rom 8:22. Endlessly. the various and mutually opposed strivings of blind elemental powers and organic creatures are colliding with each other at every moment. and then seeking the knowledge of good and evil outside of God.” The temptation of love in place of love of God and one’s neighbor is to love oneself and everything that satisfies bodily desires. This is like making oneself a “god. There he had the indwelling God as a dwelling place and wore Him as a glorious garment. turning to rely only on our own will instead of the will of God. We must have reverence for the natural order of the world.
How could man fall into this sin of pride?
Some have imagined Paradise to have been material. and love. and by this he was nourished.Saint John of Damascus
guilt for the bad choice that Adam made. and are brought into harmony becoming a source for continual renewal in the world. his body becoming subject to death and corruption. this is indeed what is ﬁttingly called the tree of life. These are all essential for his spiritual growth. while others have imagined it to have been spiritual. If we are to love God with all our heart. Paul writes. We may not understand all its workings. However.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now… For the creation was made subject to vanity. the commandments of God.
What is evil?
Remember. just as man was created both sensitive and intellectual. This is what sin is. God did not create evil. a separation from God. and. Evil is the result of man’s misguided usage of free will. Since we are all descendants of Adam and Eve we all inherit their changed nature that resulted from the fall. he rejoiced in the enjoyment of that one most sweet fruit which is the contemplation of God. the change in nature he experienced. but by reason of him who hath subjected it in hope: because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The tree itself represents the knowledge of evil. In the Orthodox view. We become free to choose to do good or to make the mistake of entering into evil and the life of sin. This changed nature was then passed on from generation to generation down to all mankind. suffering and death as the result of our descendence from Adam.
The holy Fathers say that the tree of knowledge of good and evil is something which is only for the mature people. But mankind now needed help to reunite with God. It is pointed out that Augustine used a poor translation of Romans 5:12. We believe that we need a savior to over-
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. It is a doctrine that comes from the time of Saint Augustine. Separated from God. guilt can only result from an act which one has committed. That is. Real evil does not come until one chooses to be evil. God never abandoned mankind. We can’t sin for another person. overcome self-centered tendencies that result from fear of death. We cannot be responsible for what others choose. Making the choice that Adam made is one that we all make as we come into adulthood. Sinned in Adam is quite different than sinned because of Adam. This condition is called sin. They were denied entrance to Paradise and the tree of life. Throughout the Old Testament we can see how he tried to call them back to Himself. In the Orthodox teaching we are subject to sinful tendencies. He was defending the Church against the teaching of Pelagius. Therefore we cannot be guilty of the sin of Adam. and that although our sin is evidence to this death.Tree of knowledge of good and evil
the moral law which is written in the human conscience. Adam learned about evil through his disobedience.
What is “original sin”?
What is the difference in views between Orthodoxy and the western churches?
Original sin (προπατορική αµmρτία in Greek means ancestral sin) is a term used in western churches that is different from what the Church originally taught as ancestral sin. to be freed from the shackle of death and to be shown the way back to Paradise for eternal life in union with God. It is considered to be like a disease for which we need healing. Augustine taught that all humanity sinned with Adam. The consequence is that guilt replaces death as the ancestral inheritance. He took away neither His image nor the freedom of will or reason. his sin became our personal sin. since tasting of it meant disobeying the commandment of God. Our goal now is to overcome these fallen tendencies with the help of the Holy Spirit and the way of Christ so we can gain union with God. This is the role of the Church to help us overcome the power death has on us. The correct interpretation teaches that Adam’s sin carried death to all creation. sickness. and live in harmony with him in Paradise. He chose the way of sin and thereby discovered what it meant to be evil. With Adam’s sin our nature was changed being now subject to suffering and death. As a result of this fallen condition mankind needed to be saved. but we are accountable for our own choices. eph ho (eph’ho) which means because of was translated as in whom.
The Orthodox Church teaches that we have a free will and can choose to be in a loving relationship with God or not. they became blind as to His plan for them. it is not Adam’s specific transgression that we have inherited. Man could still choose to love God with all his heart and mind. Adam and Eve sinned and the consequence was a change in their nature where they became subject to death and corruption.

As a result we commonly find ourselves separated from God. Augustine in his debate with Pelagius developed the position that only grace is able to save. For Adam. We inherit death from Adam and our sin follows. Our salvation involves a transformation from this fearful autonomous state. what do you need to do to be saved?
come death and our separation from God that is a consequence of Adam’s sin. Death is a significant burden for us to carry. The Church had always taught that it was both a matter of grace and personal effort or synergia as it was termed.Review
What is sin? What is evil? What was the sin of Adam and Eve? Who is responsible for evil in the world? What are the consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve? Why are we in need of salvation? Explain the difference between the Orthodox view and the western view on “original sin. This position of the early Church was abandoned in the west. sin came first then death. Our lives are dominated by the fear of death and our struggle to survive.
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.” Based on what you read in this Chapter. For eternal life we must be in communion with God and one another. In this struggle we tend to become self-centered. A concept of legalistic justice was then applied to western theology which led to further differences between east and west and the notion of a wrathful God seeking justice from man for the sin of Adam rather than the loving God of Orthodoxy who seeks and provides for our healing in the Church. but there is no need to be forgiven for Adam’s transgression. to be forgiven our own transgressions that.

St. redemption is not seen in judicial terms. Grace does not compel anyone. "The Son of God became man. The Son of God came into the world to accomplish two things. First. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Therefore the entry into the Kingdom requires the purity of soul and a garment of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14). He did this through the establishment of His Chruch on earth and sending to us the Holy Spirit. it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). to open the path to Paradise for the possibility of the personal salvation of each of us. and those who enter into the Kingdom of God must also be sons of light."
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. Second. His Father. granting all faithful. In his letter to the Philippians he also writes. We are destined to become holy people of God. 2:4). Athanasius of Alexandria wrote. He did this by his victory over death. Ye are saved through faith. where one is redeemed from the wrath of God as a result of the Fall and granted justification. Rev 21:27). He came to direct the hearts of all people to search and thirst for the Kingdom of God and give them help and power on their path to salvation. Elder Cleopa of Romania How did God prepare us for our salvation? How did our salvation Begin? Why Did God Send His Son? What is the difference between the General Salvation and our Personal Salvation? What is meant when we say Christ conquered Death? How did Christ establish the Church for our benefit? What are the conditions for our personal salvation?
Our salvation is about acquiring eternal life in union with God in the Kingdom of Heaven. God is light. (Phil 2:12) Salvation involves both faith and works. and that not of yourselves. Those who embrace it are saved and those who withdraw from it are lost. It is a gracious and divine gift which is bestowed by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Scripture tells us that “nothing unclean can enter the Kingdom of God (Eph 5:5.Chapter 5
How Are We Saved?
God our Saviour wants all men to be saved. Men have the God-given freedom to accept it and to work with it or to reject it. Redemption is instead where one is called to participate in the divine energies of God as a result of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and be healed of the woundedness we have as a consequence of the Fall. a personal experience of Christ who in turn leads us to God. and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. Paul says. . In Orthodox theology. that
we might become [like] God.

God in the foreknowledge of the fall of man. a single race for the preservation of piety and faith in the one true God. our faces from Him. foreordained our salvation. But He was wounded for our transgressions. Why did God want to save mankind? God had no necessity to save mankind. He has endless mercy towards all of mankind. for he wrote about Me. he led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. He also prepared a very special person to become the Mother of the Son of God.Moses
How did God prepare us for our salvation?
Our Salvation was Foreordained
After the Fall.68. through the Red Sea. The Lord chose from the descendants of Noah. and as a root out of dry ground. every one. Before his death he prophesied the coming of Christ. He was despised. He has no form or comeliness.
(See also Psalms 39. The moment of man’s fall into sin. And we hid. After the Ten Plagues were unleashed upon Egypt. to
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. he did not enter the Land of Israel. a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (John 5:46)
Psalm 21 was recognized by ancient rabbis as a hymn of the Messiah. and afflicted. Despite living to 120. and in the desert for 40 years. and the whole Hebrew people). 108. In Scripture the Savior is called the Lamb of God and was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20). warned them and chastised them and led them out of Babylonian captivity. Him you shall hear. and when we see Him. Isaac and Jacob. The Lord never abandoned us. After killing an Egyptian slave master. man had to be saved from His separation from God the the influence the fear of death has on our way of life. the chastisement for our peace was upon Him. from your brethren. 15.
There were the Prophesies. He made a covenant with them. The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet
like me from your midst. and by His stripes we are healed. as it were. even before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).
Moses proclaimed. he ﬂed and became a shepherd. He knew we would fall and that this was part of a large plan to bring man in union with Him in true love as He loves His creation. (Race of Abraham. as he disobeyed God when God instructed him on how to bring forth water from a rock in the desert. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows. He needed to freed from this fear and find his way back to the Kingdom of God. 40.
18:15)
The words of Jesus himself echo this prophecy. we have turned. yet we esteemed Him stricken. He continually led us toward our salvation. God reveled to him the Law on Mount Sinai. (Deut. smitten by God. He was bruised for our iniquities. you would believe Me. He sent them Judges and Prophets. All we like sheep have gone astray. who had been saved from the Flood.
Moses was born to a Hebrew mother who hid him when a Pharaoh ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed. He is despised and rejected by men. It is because God made man out of His Love. For if you believed
Moses. and ended up being adopted into the Egyptian royal family. 8)
Prophet Isaiah prophesied:
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed for He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant. He led them out of slavery in Egypt. and we did not esteem Him. there is no beauty that we should desire Him. and was later commanded by God to deliver the Hebrews from slavery.

king of Judea. We can see this from the dialogue Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. the Prophet Isaiah deserves to be called an Old Testament Evangelist. and we are in Him who is true. Jesus Christ. when for the most part mankind had reached an extreme degree of impiety and corruption. He will tell us all things (John 4:25) Paul also aﬃrms the expectation. Conceived by the Holy Spirit.something which strongly favored the spreading of faith and the Church of Christ. ﬁnally. He was wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions. the political conditions were ready because the whole of the civilized part of humanity had been united under the authority of Rome . (Is 53:1-8. He was oppressed and He was afflicted. Paul writes. and desire to see the promised Redeemer. yet He opened not His mouth. (John 3:16) We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding.. Achaz [Ahaz]. the coming of the Messiah was anticipated. spiritually speaking. and with particular clarity he describes the Suffering of Christ for the sins of the world. Paul says.. He remained totally God. following after Adam. and had come to know in experience the sweetness of doing good and the bitterness of evil-doing. and made intercession for the transgressors. when the best." (Is 53:4-5). For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son. Reconciler. and he prophesied for 60 years during the reign of kings Joatham. in His Son Jesus Christ. Hezekiah.Isaiah
his own way. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. This is the true God and eternal life. His birth was a miracle brought about by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary.
Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16)
How did our salvation begin?
Our Salvation begins with the Incarnation of our Lord. and He bore the sin of many. "He bears our sins and is smitten for us. God sent forth His Son
(Gal 4:4)
The Holy Prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ. Messiah. Savior. 12)
By the time of Christ. it was from Mary that Jesus took on his humanity. Yet. Isaiah was called to prophetic service during the reign of Oziah [Uzziah]. (1 John 5:20)
Luke records for us the story of the Son of God’s conception and birth. and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
God prepared the right conditions for the time of our Salvation.. For in Him dwells all the
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. To him belong the words. that we may know Him who is true. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. part of humanity had an especially great thirst. longing. and Manasseh.
God the Father sent His Son into the world to heal the human race and to bring the world back into union with Himself.. and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living. and as a sheep before its shearers is silent. and by His wounds we were healed. for the transgressions of My people He was stricken… And He was numbered with the transgressors. I know that Messiah cometh. when. Then the promised and expected Son of God came to earth.. When the fullness of the time had come.. (2Corinthians 5:18) Saint John the Theologian writes. so He opened not His mouth. had tasted in full. He became like us in all ways. He foresaw His Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church. by God’s will. of the tree of knowledge and of good and evil. The chastisement of our world was upon Him. although smallest. which is called Christ: when He is
come. By his clear foretelling of Christ the Saviour. The prophet foretold the birth of the Christ from a Virgin. He was taken from prison and from judgment. that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The Son of God was sent when the human race.

which is determined. uniting humanity with His divinity. tortured. His uniting of human will with God’s will. The street shall be built again. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate. the forgiveness of sins. O good One. He was God before the ages. Thou didst perform mighty works by Thy Saints. That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem. First. taking the form of a servant. His sinless way of life. Thou didst speak to us by the mouths of thy servants the prophets. foretelling us of he salvation which was to come. Through His presence on earth we can gain mystical knowledge about the Holy Trinity and learn how we.. in union with Him.Prophesy of Daniel
While I was speaking i n prayer. who in every generation were well-pleasing unto Thee. the God and Father. Is poured out on the desolate. to be united with God as we were at the time of our creation. and the wall. that He might liken us to the image of His glory. Christ united human nature with divine nature showing us how all of us can share in the life and glory of God. Jesus Christ opened the way for all of us to return to a union with God the Father. Even in troublesome times. Even until the consummation. can become like Him and live in communion with God. He was able to defeat the devil by his victory over death destroying the greatest power of Satan. thought it not robbery to be equal to Thee. And till the end of the war desolations are determined. yet He appeared on earth and lived among men. opens the way for us to live life as God intended for us. Thou didst speak to us through Thy Son. and said. Christ took upon Himself the sickness of the entire world.
These two natures are important because Jesus revealed to us God in a way different than any prophet. He is the Lamb slaughtered for the salvation of the world. death. Saint Basil put it very clearly when he wrote. 4 and 6)
Why did God send His Son?
He sent His Son to open the path to Paradise and to help us in our individual struggle to gain our personal salvation. being likened to the body of our lowliness. . in our humanity. becoming incarnate of a holy Virgin. upholding all things by the Word of His power. “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off.. Second the freedom from the bondage
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. By voluntarily becoming man. . Through the tender compassion of Thy mercy. i nf o r m e d m e. I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. He had to free us from the bondage of death. Through His death and resurrection he accomplish three things. Who. Until Messiah the Prince. being the radiance of Thy glory and the image of Thy person. The end of it shall be with a flood. The Lord Jesus Christ is the redeemer and savior of the human race. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. Through His incarnation God became like us. th e m a n Ga br i e l. (3. rising again. dying on the Cross. Himself. Thou didst appoint angels as guardians. And when the fulness of time had come. living a sinless life. but not for Himself.
(Dan 9:24-27)
fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 2:9).
The union and the two natures of Christ were affirmed in three Ecumenical Councils. The Doctrine of the Salvation is the central doctrine of the Orthodox Christian Church.There shall be seve n weeks and sixty-two weeks. He emptied Himself. nor didst thou forget the work of Thy hands. “O Daniel.. Thou didst send prophets.
Thou didst not turn Thyself away forever from Thy creature. by Whom Thou didst also make the ages. and talked with me. And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. whom Thou has made. Thou didst visit him in various ways.

O favored one. and the fact that this latter salvation depends upon each of us individually. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” In faith and obedience to the will of God. I am the handmaid of the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
The Son of God came into the world in order to do the following: 1. a garment of holiness. the Lord is with you.Annunciation
of death. and said to her. The resurrection is the restoration of our human nature as we were created in the image and likeness of God. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. without which no one will see the Lord. (Phil 2:12-13)
Our personal salvation consists in the attainment of eternal life in God. let it be according to your word. lest anyone should boast.
Luke (1:26-39). and those who enter the Kingdom of God must themselves be sons of the Light. He said. in the Kingdom of Heaven. for she had found favor with God. Since God is known as light and there is no darkness in Him. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son. nor any other created thing. nor things present nor things to come. and holiness. and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. We are told through Scripture. the angel departed. to the thirst for the Kingdom of God.” Upon her response.
nor angels nor principalities nor powers. “Hail. and you shall call his name Jesus.the transﬁguration of the
entire universe.
Pursue peace with all people. To free us from the shackles of death and open the path to mankind in its entirety for our individual personal salvation. without which no man shall see the Lord. and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. 2. (Eph 2:8-9) Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. The angel told her not to be afraid. God also sent His Son to establish the Church here on earth for our healing. Therefore the entrance into it necessarily requires purity of soul. By this means to direct the hearts of men to the search. who was living in Nazareth. nothing unclean can enter the Kingdom of God (Eph 5:5. and to give help.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. We know we will face death but we now face it knowing that neither death nor life. Mary replied to the angel. He taught His disciples so they could tech others. and of his kingdom there will be no end. to give power
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. “Behold.” Mary was perplexed and wondered what kind of greeting this was. not of works.
What is the difference between the General Salvation and our Personal Salvation?
The Apostles teach us to distinguish between the truth of the salvation of mankind as a whole and the necessity for a personal reception and assimilation of the gift of salivation on the part of each individual. (Romans 8:38-39) And Third. nor height nor depth. and that not of yourselves. it is the gift of God. With his resurrection death is no longer to be feared as the end of our existence but a passage to immortal life. sha+ be able to separate us )om the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. He empowered them with the Holy Spirit and established the sacraments of the Church for our beneﬁt. Apoc 21:27).

Then when Mary stood at the Cross she was alone and was entrusted to His disciple John. while His body remained in the grave.
What is meant when we say Christ conquered Death?
Before the Incarnation of Christ and His Resurrection.
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. separated from God. the just for the unjust. what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens. to a better life. for by the Resurrection of Christ the way to the General Resurrection was opened to us. that He might fill all things. bodily death itself became only a temporary phenomenon. The Evangelists speak of either half brothers or cousins by using the term bother and sister which were applied to extended family members in those days. Upon her death tradition holds that her body was taken up into heaven. Mary was born subject to the sin of Adam together with all mankind and shared the need of redemption. by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison. (I
Peter 3:18-19)
For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead. In Hades were also the souls of the Old Testament righteous ones. But on the account of the journey to Jerusalem there is no mention of any kinfolk and acquaintances. Simon and Jude) and three sisters.
on this path of salvation for the acquirement of personal spiritual purity and sanctity. to life in the Light of the Kingdom of God. Sheol. that they might be judged according to men in the flesh. He preached salvation to the captives of Hades and brought up from Hades all the Old testament righteous ones into the bright mansions of the Kingdom of Heaven.Mother of God
Two primary dogmas of the Church. She is seen as pure from sin as the fruit of her union with her spiritual labor and the abundance of grace that was given to her. Christ after His death descended in His soul and divinity into Hades. But this is not a dogma of the Orthodox Church.
For Christ also suffered once for sins. souls of the dead were in a condition of rejection. Joses. but live according to God in the spirit. Our deliverance was also their deliverance. being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. in darkness. how about the brothers and sisters of the Lord? In the Gospels there is named four brothers (James. (Eph
4:8-10)
As a result. hades. The coming down of the Holy Spirit totally sanctiﬁed the womb of the Virgin for the reception of the Son. that He might bring us to God. She was Ever virgin and she is the Mother of G o d ( T h eotokos). The second depends on ourselves. although it is accompanied by the activity of the Grace of the Christ in the Holy Spirit. (I Peter 4:6) Now that He ascended. But. The first has been accomplished by Christ entirely. death for righteous men became only a transition from the world below to the world above. The Virgin Birth is testiﬁed to by both Matthew and Luke.

and o n those in tombs bestowing life. I will come again and receive you to Myself. 2) Blessedness and beginning of the existence of the Heavenly Church. ( Rev 6:9) I looked. its unceasing rejoicing. and crying out with a loud voice. first martyrs. Saint John saw the following: Resurrection is the foundation and crown of our Orthodox faith. the Apostles.
How did Christ establish the Church for our benefit?
To help us as we walk the path to salvation He established the Church both here on earth and in heaven. Joyous beholding face to face of God Almighty. trampling dow n death by death. and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting. of all nations.
Beginning of the Church Triumphant
The Church Triumphant is the Church in Heaven.”
At the Resurrection there entered into the Kingdom the first who believed in Christ. tribes. Saving fruits of the resurrection are: 1) Victory over death. clothed with white robes.” “Church of the firstborn written in heaven. glorifying Him and serving Him.
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. Before His departure. peoples. Just as by death our Redemption was accomplished. This is the Heavenly Church or the Church Triumphant.
Repose or rest from labors.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. a great multitude which no one could number. and to the Lamb!
(Rev 7:9-10). and behold. clothed in white robes. 3) Sending down of the Holy Spirit and creation of the Church of Christ on earth. confessors. And if I go and prepare a place for you. Christ said to His disciples: In My Father’s house are many mansions. and thus until the end of the world the Heavenly Home will be filled until it shall come to its perfect fullness. and tongues. Scriptures tell us that the blessedness of the souls of the righteous in heaven consist of:
Troparian of Holy Pascha:
Christ is risen )om the dead. Mutual communion between themselves and with thousands of angels. there you may be also. ( Rev 4:4) I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne. (John 14:2-3)
Life of saints in heaven is shown to us in the Book of Revelation. Non-participation in sorrows and suﬀerings. so by His Resurrection eternal life was given to us. that where I am. I would have told you. standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Being together with and consequently being in the closest communion with the forefathers and other saints. I go to prepare a place for you. Standing before the Throne of the Lamb. The Resurrection is the object of the Churchʼs constant triumph. saying.” “Mount Zion. and they had crowns of gold on their heads. if it were not so. Communion and reigning together with Christ.”
“Heavenly Jerusalem.Resurrection. with palm branches in their hands.
The Heavenly home is called “the city of the living God.

Receive the Holy Spirit.
Christ is the head of the church
And He put all things under His feet. It is not simply a place where we learn about God. ﬁ+ing the entire house where they were sitting. hearing these remarks. (John 20:22-23) Ten days
after His Ascension. the Lord sent down the Holy Spirit upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost in the form of fiery tongues. It is therefore by this Bread that we live and by the chrism that we are moved. It receives us when we are dead and corrupted and first leads us to life. “In the Holy
Spirit. Then. These are the primarily the sacraments of Baptism.
This miraculous event occurred on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. is given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). They comprise the means of our sanctification and salvation The Church is not a social organization but is the presence and life of Christ on earth. When the people in Jerusalem heard the sound. Suddenly. and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.Pentecost
Establishment of the Church of Christ on Earth
Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit to remain with the apostles forever and after the Resurrection. The anointing with chrism perfects him who has received [new] birth by infusing into him the energy that befits such a life. Peter. tongues of ﬁre appeared. in His Divine power. Christ is the Chief bishop and the eternal High Priest. The Church is Christ’s Body.
Christ is the Head of the Church (Eph 1:22-23). They were a+ ﬁ+ed with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
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. Chrismation. We remove our life from the visible world to that world which is not seen by exchanging. In this way we live in God. if you retain the sins of any. and one sat upon each one of Apostles. the fullness of him who fills all in all. Baptism confers being and in short. On that day about three thousand were baptized. they are retained. they came together and heard their own languages being spoken by the Apostles (Acts 2:5-6). The Church is not a building. the fullness of Him who fills all in all. stood up and addressed the crowd. The people were amazed. once we have received being from the baptismal washing. These Grace-given gifts are in the Holy
Church which the Lord founded on earth. Saint Nicholas Cabasilas writes. It is through the sacraments of the Church that we are united to Christ. By joining the Church we are uniting ourselves with the body of Christ. but a People who are filled with the Holy Spirit and who share in His life bringing His life into the world. which is His body. existence according to Christ. (Eph 1:23) The Orthodox Church does not recognize any other head of the church in the form of a “vicar of Christ on earth. He is the founder (Matt 16:18) and the Foundation (1 Cor 3:11). He granted them the Grace-given power of the Holy Spirit with the words. but the very life itself and its mode. Many people from throughout the Roman Empire were gathered in Jerusalem on this day.
The Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in one place. a sound came from heaven like a rushing wind. they are forgiven them. If you forgive the sins of any. In His Church we experience and participate in the life of Christ. since the Bread of life enables us to preserve that which has been acquired and to continue in life. Paul referred to the Church as the body of Christ. not the place. a title given in the Roman Catholic Church to the Bishop of Rome. The Holy Eucharist preserves and continues this life and health. and the Holy Eurcharist. The life of the Church is the life in Christ.

wholeness. one Lord. so are th e branches (Rom 11:165) The Church is called Catholic (Catholikos in ancient Greek)
Signiﬁes its universal character. He brings those who are sick with sin to His Church. Signiﬁes the highest degree of all-embracing.
Through the church is accomplished the dispensation of the fullness of times foreordained by the Father. The deepest thirst that exists in mankind is not simply moral improvement. There will always be an irreducible gap between the nature of God and that of man. The very body of the Church is holy. And in this way man is fully united with God and participates in His life and still remains man. (Eph 1:0)
The Church is a Spiritual Hospital
We can think of the Church as a spiritual hospital. and in you a+.
Church is our spiritual Home
In it we work out our salvation. communicated in the Mysteries and sacred rites of the Church. the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the divine energies of God that we join and participate in. fullness. It embraces in itself all people who believe in the Orthodox way wherever they might live on earth. one baptism. not any inherent quality of their own. and if the root be holy. one faith.
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. It is holy further through the Holy Spirit and His grace giving gifts. This means we are talking about different things. Saint Peter tell us that we shall be partakers of the divine nature (2Peter 1:4).
Catholic. so we in the resurrection will not become mixed or confused with God. We are creatures. Grace works on us in the Church in many ways. just as you were ca+ed in one hope of your ca+ing. and which are on earth. For this to take place God gives Himself to Man through His energies.
If the ﬁrst )uit be holy. He states that the problem is that Orthodox and Evangelicals do not use the word saved in the same sense. but nothing less that union with God. to be saved means to be declared “not guilty” by God. It also presupposes that our state of being guilty can be changed in an instant. and Apostolic Church” There is a Unity of the Church There is one body and on e Spirit. In the Church we not only receive the medicines we need ( the holy mysteries or sacraments). Our Lord Jesus Christ is known to us as the Great Physician. Just as Christ’s human nature did not become mixed or confused with His divine nature. one God and Father of a+. and through a+. The Life: Orthodox Doctrine on Salvation. Grace is not created and we therefore participate directly in God with His energies. but we receive the spiritual advice and training that we need so that the mysteries will be for the benefit of our health and salvation.“We Believe in One Holy.
Salvation is Theosis
Ultimately. But we need to have proper guidance so this medicine can be properly applied. Theosis is based on the understanding of the nature of Christ which the council of Chalcedon affirmed is both human and divine natures united “without mixture or confusion and without separation or division. It is through His
The Church is the Church of the Apostles
The Church is called Apostolic because the Apostles placed the historical beginning of the Church. It is like medicine when working through the sacraments of the Church. both which are in heaven. Church is not limited by place. (Eph 4:4-6) The Church is Holy
The Church is holy through its Head.
How does the Orthodox view of Salvation differ from many in the west?
Clark Carlton explains this difference clearly in his book. who is above a+. It presupposes that the difference between the saved and the damned is the attitude of God toward them. In the evangelical understanding the satisfaction theory of atonement is assumed.” Mankind is not naturally divine. The Holy Eucharist is the medicine of immortality for those who are properly prepared. salvation is a matter of theosis or deification. the limb is also holy. In other words it means that when God looks at us He sees Christ’s righteousness instead of our sinfulness. For an evangelical. so that He might gather together in one all things in Christ.

We cannot be saved by faith alone or by works alone.” cleared of all charges against him and he can now enter heaven and enjoy the blessed life that god has prepared for His elect. If one has accepted Christ then one can be confident that Christ will keep his promise: “Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. At
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. We saw from the story of the fall of man that the fundamental sin that caused sin to enter into the world was pride. Salvation is not a matter of how God views man. For an Orthodox Christians to say that they have been saved implies that they have attained a high level of righteousness before God. but the sinful state of the sinner. It is not God’s attitude that must change but man needs to be changed to be reconciled with God. for they shall see God” (Mat 5:3. for He
Presbyters
Presbyters (literally elders) were both in Apostolic times and all subsequent times and today the second degree of the hierarchy. For us to be healed we must become humble and embrace the spiritual poverty spoken of by Jesus in the sermon on the Mount “Blessed are the poor in spirit. The issue of faith versus works is not an issue for Orthodox as both are required for our salvation.
atonement substituted on the Cross that Christ has satisfied the Father’s justice and honor and calmed His wrath. Salvation refers to the spiritual state of the individual. God is unchangeable and always looks on us with love no matter what our actions are. for
Fr. and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust (Mat 5:45) For Orthodox it is our ability to relate
to God and not God’s ability to relate to man. Tom Pistolis
Deacons
Third hierarchal degree is the deacon. All sinners are cast into hell as the deserved punishment for all who violate God’s laws.
maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Thus the highest organ of authority in the Church and the highest authority is the council of bishops. but on the fact that God no longer sees them as a sinner.Church Hierarchy Bishops
The Apostles placed bishops as their immediate successors and Presbyters as their helpers and as Metrolopitan helpers of the Alexios bishops placing the further matter of ordination of presbyters with the bishops.
their is the kingdom of heaven…. For Orthodox salvation means that we attain to a “likness” of God through which we attain a real union with Hiim. so Orthodox Christians are hesitant to make any pronouncement about their own salvation. Blessed are the pure in heart. Salvation is a continuing task for Orthodox Christians. When God looks at them He does not see the righteousness of His Son. Those who reject Christ as the personal Lord and Savior remain in their sin that was passed down from Adam.8). The Scripture does not say that the kingdom
of heaven is promised to those not guilty. By this they gave an example of the conciliar resolution of the most important questions in the Church for all times. To an Orthodox Christian this would be to make a presumption on the judgement of God. Orthodox also do not believe in the notion that once saved we are always saved. Orthodox reject the satisfaction theory of atonement because it leaves man unchanged. His love is unconditional.
Councils of the Church
When among the Apostles there appeared a need to appeal to a higher authoritative voice or judgment the Apostles gathered in a Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) and the decrees of this Council were acknowledged as obligatory for the whole church (Acts 16:4). The saved person now stands before God “justified. This is why there is a difference from the general salvation of mankind and a personal salvation. For Orthodox is is quite a different story.” (Acts 2:21) Being saved in only a matter of accepting Christ and God changes His view towards you. but to those who are humble and pure. But when an Evangelicals make a statement that they are saved they are not commenting on the state of their soul. We can see how they can think that once saved always saved makes sense.

We will discuss the path to Salvation in the section on the Orthodox Way of Life.
What are the conditions for our personal salvation?
The aim of life is to seek union with God and our salvation. 5) Through Church Sacraments we cultivate the seed and receive His grace. Baptism is the starting point of our path to salvation. 4) By prayer and fasting we open our heart to God for His grace to help us. 2) We receive the seed at Baptism and Chrismation. 7) After death we will know God and God will know us.Review
What did God do to prepare us for Salvation? How did our Salvation begin? What is meant by “personal” salvation versus “general” salvation? What is the signiﬁcance of the difference? What was the main result of the Incarnation? How was the Church established? Why was it established? What is the idea of Theosis?
any time we can make choices that will cause us to fall off the path. 3) Through repentance (metanoia . 6) With grace and right choice we grow closer and closer to God. even after we have been baptized.
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. separate ourselves from God.a change of mind) we humble our selves to receive God and seek to change our behaviors. 1) We begin with Faith in God and the Truth of the Scriptures.

What is the Final Judgement? Finally we put it all together to outline the basic elements of the Orthodox way of life. Matrimony. Confession. It also may put us at odds with the mainstream thinking in our society. The kind of life we must be willing to embrace to become an Orthodox Christian. The other sacraments are Chrismation. The main idea is that we all have hidden assumptions that can cloud our faith and are given to us not by the Church but by negative forces that exist in our secular society. and Ordination. Holy Communion. We first ask. We also examine the question. The first step is our Baptism and then we have others to help us. We then ask what is the Orthodox world view that we need to embrace. “What are the hidden assumptions that you carry with you that determine how you view the world and think about religion? How does our society impact these. This of course will demand changes to how we think.
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. Holy Unction. Our Orthodox way of life cannot be fully understood without also knowing what happens at our death.Chapter 6
What is the Orthodox Way of Life?
How do we live day to day in a way that will bring us in union with God and eternal life in Godʼs Kingdom? What is a life that leads us along the path towards Theosis? How do we live a life centered on Christ and His Church? What are we to do and how do we begin? What is your world view? Is it compatible with Orthodoxy and what is important for our salvation? What happens at our death? How will we be judged? What is the Final Judgment? What is the starting point for the Orthodox way of life? What does it mean to surrender? What is Grace? How do we put this all together as a Way of Life?
In this chapter we begin by discussing the concept of a world view. It is how we grow closer to God and find union with Him. The Orthodox way of life involves participation in the sacraments of the church.

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. We search and discover God. even as adults after our baptism. they fell on their faces and were struck with the uncreated light that enveloped the body of Christ. Also shown are two angels in the corners of the icon.
Where do we find God?
To find God in our life we do not have to go far as God dwells within us.” But Why? It is God who is hiding? Of course not. He purposefully took His disciples with him so they could know the God that was within each of them. God sent Christ. He made us in His likeness and image. a way to perfection and salvation. We may spend years. With Christ there appeared the prophets Elijah and Moses. John feels short of breath. and his clothes became as white as the light.… (IICorintians 6:16)
Jesus says about Himself: I stand at the door and knock. (Matt. God reveals Himself to us in some way. When His disciples saw the deﬁed body of Christ. He has created everything. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. Orthodox Christianity is not a theoretical or philosophical religion. to save us from the consequences of their sin and showed us the way to eternal life with God.
If God is already present. including us. Paul says. When we are baptized God enters into our souls by His grace and becomes in live communion with us. without a sincere interest in God. Saint Diadochus says that we are separated from God because we have not yet made holy love habitual in ourselves.” (Gal 3:27)? And is it not a common understanding that God is everywhere? That they should seek the Lord. But God is still outside of us. Jesus went up to Mount Tabor with three of his disciples and as it says in Scripture. What am I to do? How am I to do it? When am I going to do it? These are questions you should take some time to reflect on. and he with Me.
For you are the temple of the living God. His Son. in the
hope that they might grope for Him and find Him. What the disciples were exposed to was the energies of God. Peter falls back. Then for some reason we choose to seek for Him. 17:2). “From the instant we are baptized. and James covers his eyes.Transﬁguration
We have learned that God is all-powerful and has infinite love for us. why do we need to attain Communion with God?
Does not Scripture say. but is a living and enlivening thing. separates us from God. (Revelations 3:20) Paul says about the Holy Spirit: Do you not know that you are the tem-
ple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16)
This indwelling of divine nature is not mental. grace is hidden in the depths of the intellect. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. They have been a witness to His glory. This same divine light and presence exists within each of us. Communion with God begins with our awakening. God is within each of us. and we know that all His creation is good. His face shone like the sun. But it will seem as if He quickly hides Himself until we are more spiritually mature. our self-centeredness. but is a way of life. though He is not far from each one of us. A way to eternal life. Saint Theophan the Recluse says that His presence remains unclear until the heart is purified after which it dwells visibly. (Acts 17:27)
So why do we have to seek after God? Saint Diadochus tells us. The reason is that we lack desire and our personal sinfulness. Christ also established the Church as a place where we can work out our own salvation in community with others. After the Fall of Adam and Eve. I will come in to him and dine with him. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. All of our mental efforts to know God are only a means.

Paul teaches mystically when he says. It is through the Grace of God that we are able to grow spiritually to the likeness of God and become Christ like. 4:15) will divinize human nature without changing it into the divine nature. This possibility that exists for all of us is called Theosis ..
This is what St. It is a light that we cannot hide. We are endowed with a free will to choose God or to ignore Him. and will raise it up for His own sake to the same degree as He lowered Himself for man's sake. and it is because we abandoned him that we are subject to corruption and death from which baptism delivers us. We are the ones who turn ourselves away from God and separate ourselves from Him. It is then our own creation of God in our minds that separates from the reality that is already part of us. This is the image that we are made in. When we grow in this way the Christ within us shines through like the light of Tabor or the Transfiguration. which makes man god to the same degree as God Himself became man." He “became man that we might
We are psychosomatic beings.. Our soul is integral with our body. 2:7).”
St.
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. Athanasius of Alexandria It was to live in communion with Him that He created us. Heb. We only need to open ourselves to His presences and we will become aware of His presence and be in constant communion with Him.that in the ages to come He might display the overflowing richness of His grace' (Eph. The chart below shows our condition and our opportunity.Theosis
St. We choose to rely on our own mental constructs (our own world view) to inform us about God.
"A sure warrant for looking forward with hope to deification of human nature is prov ided by the Incarnation of God. It is the light of holiness. Maximus the Confessor wrote.
become [like] God. '. For it is clear that He who became man without sin (cf. We are created by God with His image.

empiricism. 4) We pray and fast along with other ascetic practices to open our heart to God for His grace to help us. 2) We receive the seed at Baptism and Chrismation. Col. So the ﬁrst step is examine our world view. relativism. It is based on many theories that came out of the Renaissance called the “Age of Enlightenment. humanism and secularism that all evolved out of this period of human history in the Western world. We all have a world view out of necessity. according to the elementary principles of the world. 2:8
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. It is important to recognize that our current world does not embrace the Orthodox way of life. It is this union that will yield our salvation and eternal life with God.” Our current western culture has built into it assumptions that come from rationalism. It is based on different assumptions about reality than those held by Eastern Orthodox minds. Without a world view we would not be able to make sense out of all the sensory inputs we receive at each moment. 5) We participate in the Church Sacraments to cultivate the seed within and receive His grace. do we know what assumptions ours is based on? Paul is very clear in his warning to Christians in the letter to the Colossians:
Where do we begin?
Our starting point is to better understand why we are separated from God and bring about a true change in our way of seeing the world. These assumptions guide all our thoughts and our actions. These assumptions give our mind a model to enable us to interpret what we take in through our senses. They provide a simplified model of reality to guide us. 6) With grace and right choice we grow closer and closer to God. It guides us to define what is a good life and what has meaning in life. Our current culture presents us with many problems.a change of mind). It is these assumptions that determine our expectations from the reality that we interact with daily. 3) We humble ourselves to receive God and seek to change our behaviors which is called Repentance (Metanoia . It is the implications of these underlying assumptions that block us from knowing God. 7) After death we will know God and God will know us.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception.What are we to do?
1) We begin with Faith in God and the Truth of the Scriptures.
What do we mean by a world view?
A world view is a set of assumptions that we hold in our mind (consciously or unconsciously) that help us understand how the world works. The question is. This world view is essential to us as it provides the basis for a unity of our thought and life. This helps us make choices instantaneously as we face the abundance of external stimulus from our environment. rather than according to Christ. according to the tradition of men.

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. We feel that we have to have absolute trust in our thoughts. The Church has all the necessary tools within its boundaries to help you open your heart to God and follow the path to theosis or salvation and eternal life with Him.” We give up our own mental constructs and say. Help me in my ignorance and guide me in Your Truth. Remember our history. It rejects the truth of divine revelation that is recorded in Scripture. Often this is called “surrender. This is why it is important to become part of a strong Christian community such as the Orthodox Church and surrender to Her unchanging teachings and find a spiritual guide to help you as you surrender to the Truths of the Church. and to defend them as if they were our own flesh and blood. “Lord have Mercy on me your unworthy servant. they can lead us to agnosticism. It assumes individual autonomy and the idea that each individual must find his or her own truth. It assumes that the beliefs and religion of a person or group of persons is “true” for them. person or events one is dealing with. We tend to think that our thoughts are who we are and that we are the sum total of our thoughts.” This surrender is not easy and can lead to confusion in one’s life if one is not careful. This approach tends to make us ego-centric as we think our thoughts are the truth and others who do not share them are incorrect and need to be taught our way of rationalizing the world. “I think. This is the basis of the scientific method.” It also leads us to many other “isms” that dominate our way of thinking. This becomes a watered down version of Christianity and dangerous for our spiritual well being. It becomes “Our will be done” instead of “Thy will be done.” This view discredits the Church Fathers and all of the Holy Tradition of the Church which is not included in the Bible. This can be a difficult and even painful process. Relativism: Relativism maintains that the basis of all judgment is relative. no ob-
jective ethical positions that are right or wrong.What are the common assumptions that underlie our current culture?
Listening to Paul’s warning. differing according to the situation. The Church authority is rejected in favor of the subjective judgment of each individual. It leads us to secularism where the state is separated from religious or spiritual qualities. therefore I am” is a common quote from Descartes. examine them and allow them to change if need be so we can fully embrace the teaching of Christ and the Church. Under this set of assumptions there is no religion that is universally or exclusively true. or rationalizations. When we take all these together. We often deny our own truths because of relativism. what are the philosophical deceptions that are given to us through the tradition of men and physical properties of the world instead of according to Christ? Here are a few: Rationalism: Rationalism puts full trust in the conclusions of our logical mind. but not necessarily for others. We need to explore our own world views. It assumes that what has gone before and the previous age is the “Dark Ages. atheism or what is know as cafeteria Christianity where we are free to pick and choose which parts of the Bible we are to accept. This conflicts with the Orthodox World View in that it rejects a dependence on faith. Empiricism: Empiricism assumes that the basis of knowledge is our experience from sense perception. It can be trusted as an unchangeable source of Truth. Orthodoxy is the teachings of our Lord and Savior through the Apostles without change. This view is in conflict with the Orthodox world view in that God’s will becomes secondary to our will. Christianity is often rejected simply because it claims to be True. This way of thinking weakens our faith. Modernism: Modernism rejects all tradition. the supernatural and divinely revealed texts. This world view assumes that it is through the systematic study of what we know from the senses that yields us the absolute truth. surface our hidden assumptions. Likewise there are no moral absolutes. Humanism/Individualism: Humanism and individualism is based on the assumption that truth and morality is sought through rational means. We need to realize that we are influenced by all of these “isms” and that they have within them hidden assumptions that go against the Orthodox Way of Life. This conflicts with the Orthodox World View that Christianity is an absolute truth given to us through the revelation of God. We have not yet faith until we can embrace all that has been revealed to us and trust the Church as a place for the healing and nurturing of our soul. All moral values are true for some but not for others.

and to change our behaviors. Take some time for introspection to identify some things about our culture that conflict with what you know about the Orthodox Way of Life. This is called the particular
judgment. We seek salvation and union with Him for eternal life in a world that is beyond this physical world. death is the separation of the soul from the body. “it
is appointed for men to die once. We know that God is beyond all rational knowledge. We have no difficulty in embracing miracles that cannot be explained by rational process or by the scientific method. how can the Church help you with these conflicts?
What is the Orthodox World View ?
As Orthodox Christians we have faith in what is beyond the comprehension of our rational mind. For Orthodox Christians it is the beginning of a new life. or a “departure” (2Timothy 4:6). promulgated by non Orthodox Christians and permeate our educational systems.
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. Our religion is based on the absolute revealed truth and we embrace what is mystical and invisible. but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27).congruent with our faith. This is no small matter. As a member of the Church we are members of the mystical Body of Christ. Ours is not a way of life based on seeking happiness through our material well being. Our present reality is that built into our minds are hidden assumptions based on all these “isms” given to us by our modern culture. In spiritual terms. Paul tells us that there is a judgment after death. Then ask yourself. It is important to uncover them and to consciously reject and change those which are not
Death and the Final Judgment What is death?
For most people it is the end of life. We interpret it within the context of the Church and its Traditions. to uncover our misguided assumptions. But this is not the final state so it is one where the full blessedness or torment is not felt. This demands a process of surrender and repentance or metanoia. We believe in and totally trust a loving God. We have to consider it in our interpretation of Scripture. Paul says it is the “deliverance of the soul from prison” (2 Cor 5:1-4). the soul leaves it and goes to a state of blessedness or torment according to its deeds. denying us salvation and eternal life. We cannot simply throw out the past wisdom of our Church Fathers. The Church has all the powers and tools that are needed to help us in this endeavor. We need to beware of false assumptions as we can easily fall into the trap of following false truths and traditions promoted by our modern society and become blocked from a union with God. We must accept that to follow the truths and traditions of the Church we may be out of step with almost everyone else. We embrace the tradition of the Church and regard the Bible as the gift of the Church. The Orthodox Way of Life guides us to uncover our sinful ways of living. This comes with the final judgment when the body and soul are reunited. which means a change of mind. After the body gives up its physical life. Peter says it is “putting off the body” (2Peter 1:14) and in Acts it is referred to as “sleep” (Acts 13:36). Uncovering these hidden assumptions is an individual process. These underlying assumptions will undermine our faith.

. are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. "The ﬁrst man Adam became a living being". Only our souls are eternal. But now Christ is risen from the dead. to the resurrection of life. the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
.We are told in Scripture that there will be a second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 25:31-46). and another glory of the stars. The new life will be more like the angels. It will be universal and simultaneous. look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Nevertheless we. If there is a physical body. Thus it is written. because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ. It is sown in weakness. it is raised a spiritual body.
(1 Cor 15:13-15. There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies. in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise. another for birds. but there is one kind for men. (1 Corinthians 15:39-45)
The world as we know it is not eternal. and we are found false witnesses of God. final and definitive. Yes. even so in Christ all shall be made alive. are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.. They will be free from infirmities and weaknesses.. and will not have bodily needs..
BRETHREN. Paul reasons that the resurrection of the dead is what makes us Christian.. but the glory of the celestial is one. determining for all eternity our fate. (2Peter 3:7. then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 22)
the earth which are now preserved by the same word. and another for ﬁsh. according to His promise. both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. On this day there will be accomplished the universal resurrection of the dead in a transfigured appearance.. Christ showed us the way through death to a new transfigured life. The heavens and
If there is no resurrection of the dead. (John 5:28-29)
What will our new bodies be like after our resurrection? We know from the transfigured presence of Christ what they will be like. and the elements will melt with fervent heat. and those who have done evil. it is raised in power. It will be solemn and open. the day of
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. for star differs )om star in glory. another for animals.. and the glory of the terrestrial is another. It is sown a physical body. not a+ ﬂesh is alike. what is raised is imperishable. and another glory of the moon. They will essentially the same in appearance. 10. and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. But they will be transfigured.all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good..... it is raised in. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. There is one glory of the sun.
13)
The end of the world will not end in total destruction but in a complete change and renewal. strict and terrible. there is also a spiritual body. The bodies of the righteous will be incorrupt and immortal. Peter writes. What is sown is perishable. It is sown in dishonor. then Christ is not risen. to the resurrection of condemnation. glory.. 20. And if Christ is not risen. For as in Adam all die.
The heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word. If we do not believe in this we cannot believe in the Resurrection of Christ.

in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise. We are instructed to do His will “on earth as it is in heaven. 10. soul and mind. after hearing the
words of St. Fear Him and begone.
Baptism is the Beginning
Once we have accepted God and have faith in Him and His Church. Amen. Christ gave us two very clear moral commandments. Be in awe of God. nor confront him (her).
It is not merely just being “born again. 13)
ment of Baptism originated from the early Church. To fol-
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.. who held sway over death. he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). and of the Son. when the graves were thrown open and the bodies of the Saints arose. but we must not be bound by its assumptions. Paul and St.. and of the Son and of the Holy spirit.
ceived his word.the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The second was to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Through us He puts you under edict. But get you hence to your own infernal regions until the great Day of Judgment which has been ordained. (2Peter 3:7.On the Cross He vanquished the opposing powers. no and forever. the Philippian jailer who accepted faith through St.. depart from this soldier newly enlisted now marked for Christ our God.. A change in our world view. by day or by night.
.” The sacra-
So we begin our Orthodox Way of Life by renouncing the devil and a surrendering to God and His Church. nor seek to influence him (her). He annihilated death by dying. If faith
alone were sufficient.” We need to break the grip of all the negative forces of society on us. Nevertheless we... Peter about baptism they. This is clearly supported by the following verses:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father.. We are called to seek union with God. according to His promise.. These negative forces want us to believe only in ourselves to separate us from God. and the elements will melt with fervent heat. were baptized. depart from his creature. when the sun went dark and the earth trembled. For glorified is the Name of the father. The first reads. never to return. and that day about 3. and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you” (Matthew
28:19-20). Who is seated among the Cherubim and looks on the deeps. our path to salvation starts with our Baptism and Chrismation. Neither conceal yourself in him (her). We must make bold steps to establish a clear boundary between ourselves and “the world” and openly renounce these negative forces for they are not the work of God and will mislead us. the Evil One. both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. On the day of Pentecost. Silas. There are three prayers. at dawn or at noonday. look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. To surrender means we must follow the will of God and not our own will. Begone. ”imme-
diately he and all his family were baptized.. to become like God. what was the need to baptize 3000 souls! Similarly. We must live in a secular world.000 souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). “Most as-
suredly I say to you unless one is born of water and Spirit. Our Lord Jesus Christ told Nicodemus. theosis. We are called to a rebirth. and overthrew you.”
The first thing that is done in the sacrament of Baptism is to renounce the devil with the prayers of exorcism. and to ages of ages. “gladly re-
What is the Orthodox Way of Life?
All Christians are called to receive and create within themselves a new life in Christ. The first was to love God with our whole heart..

while man struggles with much endurance.
The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. our spiritual growth and personal salvation. He gave us two commandments:
1. With endurance the work of grace is made perfect in us. For by grace you have been
How do we grow spiritually?
This leads us to the doctrine of Synergia. He can choose to love God or to love himself at the exclusion of God. We grow spiritually when the human will acts based on the divine will through grace. We have to uproot the passions of the body and affirm the virtues constantly correcting ourselves. Let our mind seek its explanations from the writings of the Church Fathers and their interpretation of Scripture. and should sleep by night and rise by day. We are called to accept His love and direction through our free choice and to follow Him. This is the first and great commandment. lest anyone should boast. The human will is to always be subservient to the divine will. with all your soul. Baptism is a death and a new birth in Christ. even through it was fully human freely followed the divine will. 2. In Christ. It is our task to learn to align our human will with God’s will and to act in cooperation with God. This surrendering is like planting a seed in the earth.
Orthodoxy that man was created in God’s image and therefore has a free will. These gifts are available to us through the sacraments of the Church. then the head. It is a surrender to God and to the Church which is the Body of Christ on earth. His death on the Cross. not of works.
(Mat 22:37-39)
Now it is not possible to do God’s will without some degree of self sacrifice. This is the only way that mankind can truly love God. It has always rejected any implication that a person will be saved without their own desire and willing cooperation. he himself does not know how. God never will force human will. Jacob.
(Eph 2:8-9) It was Christ who sent to us the gifts of
the Holy Spirit for our sanctification. struggle and endurance. Christ made the will of God very clear to us by His own life and His teaching. It is fundamental to
saved through faith. Let the hymns of the Church speak to our inner being. As Paul says. Grace of the Holy Spirit 2. If we live in the Spirit. Remember that the Church is the mystical body of Christ on earth. This is our spiritual struggle and we need the help of God’s grace through the sacraments of the Church and our own purification. struggle and endurance. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade. and with all your mind. This involves endurance and struggle on our part.
What does it mean to Surrender to God and Church?
When we surrender we must follow the will of God. We give up our own definition of the world and let the mystical truths of God overwhelm us and let our reason struggle to make sense out of it rather than determining what it is we sense and feel. wisdom. This doctrine of the Church is based on the Incarnation. God’s actions of goodness are based on willing cooperation from mankind. Our disposition of will to act on it. and His Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. it is the gift of God. Our opening of our heart to receive it. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. 3. let us also walk in the Spirit. Joseph and David. (Mark 4:26-28)
We begin with as surrender to Church and God which are one and the same. (Gal 5:24-25)
What is Grace?
The whole economy of our salvation is based on the coming of the Son of God to earth. Our spiritual growth is the result of three principles 1. after that the full grain in the head.
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. and that not of yourselves. the human will. They are never equal. We have to overcome the control the body has over our soul. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.low these commandments requires self-sacrifice. It also requires grace. One that was human and another that was divine. God’s grace works with great patience. We have examples in the Bible of Abraham. The Orthodox Church has always rejected any notion of predestination. mysterious management of the mind. Christ had two wills. It is the divine will that leads and the human will that is to follow. and the seed should sprout and grow.

It means change of mind.
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. a process of transfiguration. but lack of understanding is the death of repentance. This change of mind implies “great understanding” and discernment. We can only prepare our selves for the reception of divine grace which is the force that transforms us. but also inspires us with a desire that we may be able to accomplish what we know. and all embracing motion or movement. to perseverance godliness. to self-control perseverance. you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Peter says the following:
Saint Basil the Great says. Repentance is ultimately the gift of the Holy Spirit who transforms our heart. constant striving. Repentance is the act of reconciliation and a reintegration into the body of Christ which has been separated from us through our sin. to knowledge self-control. changing our outer behaviors through our inward efforts at change. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted. and to brotherly kindness love. It is a life of repentance or metanoia.The grace of God not only gives us the knowledge of our duty. It is not the direct fruit of our individual effort. add to your faith virtue. Once you have the idea that you can accomplish salvation by your own power. to godliness brotherly kindness. It is a way of life. For if these things are yours and abound. to virtue knowledge. a fundamental transformation of our way of thinking about our world and ourselves and a new way of loving God and others. “Repentance is salvation. Repentance cannot be accomplished by emotion or guilt. It is a life of continual transformation and growth. but by an awareness of our separation from God and our neighbors. grace departs and leaves you in your struggle and misery awaiting your surrender and contrition. (II Peter 1:3-9)
Paul reminds us. It is a process that leads us inward but also leads outwards. (Phil 2:12-13)
The Orthodox Way of Life calls on us to resist temptations and to practice virtue. even to blindness.” Metanoia is the gateway to knowing oneself and other as well as the gateway to heaven.
His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness… ( By) giving all diligence. This help is always available to us in the Church when we prepare ourselves to participate in the sacraments and are sincere in our efforts. It is an attitude that needs to color our entire life and made a continual struggle. It is a continuous path. It involves not simply regret for what we have done but a recognition of a distorted world view and view of the horror of our sinfulness. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. It is not a static one or one that waits for grace to change us.
What is repentance or Metanoia?
Metanoia is translated as repentance. and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. in which our heart and mind continually receive illumination from the Holy Spirit. but is based on cooperation with divine grace. It involves a reorientation.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. It is one that requires the Holy Spirit to help us. We can also say it means a change in our world view.

At some time we will face the Final Judgment when we will be accepted into God’s Kingdom and reunited with our bodies. fasting. Then we have the saving Incarnation of the Son of God. study of scripture. Awaked to the Truth we then seek Baptism to be united with the Body of Christ here on earth in His Church. This action then leads us towards theosis and we learn to live the commandments to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We purify our minds trying to get the bodily passions under control and to allow the soul to take its natural place as the leader. We enter the Church participating in her healing sacraments combined with our personal effort and endurance to change our way of thinking and behaving. It is a cooperative process where we act in union with the divine grace. Communion is a way to take into our being divine grace in the form of the actual blood and body of Christ for the forgiveness
of our sins and eternal life. This was the general salvation that opened the path for our personal salvation. Our personal path begins with an awakening to the Truth of the Scriptures and a faith in God. meditation on the Truths and worship help us prepare for the gift of grace. All this is guided by grace which becomes stronger as we engage in this never ending cycle. The promise is eternal life in Paradise. Going from left to right it begins with the Fall of mankind from Paradise. The attitude of repentance leads us to committing to change our way of thinking and doing.
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. The ascetic disciplines of prayer.The chart above gives us an outline of the Orthodox Way of Life.

Water. The Priest serves as an instrument and is not the responsible principal of the sacrament. The sacraments of which there are Seven were established by Christ directly (Baptism and the Eucharist). "the Father. Grace can only be received through Baptism and the Eucharist which were directly established by Christ. it affirms the central truth of the Orthodox Christian faith: that God became flesh in Jesus Christ and entered into the midst of creation thereby redirecting the cosmos toward its vocation to glorify its Creator. Since they were initiated by Christ Himself. By participating in them. and Holy Spirit perform while the priest lends his tongue and extends his hand. The frequent use of the material of creation reminds us that matter is good and can become a medium of the Spirit. they are necessary for our salvation. The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church are composed of prayers. hymns. oil. Many parts of the services date back to the time of the Apostles. or by the implicit request of Christ. This is not to limit the action of the Holy Spirit as it can surely act outside of these ceremonies."
Holly Unction
Confession
Matrimony
Ordination
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. The Greek word is 'mysterion' from which the words mystical and mysticism come from. Unction and Ordination). scripture lessons. we grow closer to God and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Son. Confession. A Sacrament to be valid must be performed by a Priest and cannot be performed outside the Church.Chapter 7
The Mysteries or Sacraments of the Church
Baptism
Chrismation
Holy Eucharist
Sacraments are special experiences in our corporate life as Orthodox Christians when the perception of God's presence and actions is heightened and celebrated. Its root is the verb 'myo' which means to close the eyes for the purpose of protecting them from an extraordinary vision of deity. Most importantly. As Saint John Chrysostom says. Most of the Sacraments use a portion of the material of creation as an outward and visible sign of God's revelation. gestures and processions. bread and wine are but a few of the many elements which the Orthodox Church employs in her Worship. But. They were instituted as a means of transmitting Grace based on the needs of the believers. or through his Apostles who instituted them under Christ's teaching with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Marriage.

Immersion In the name of the Trinity three times.
You were washed. Font Divine womb for second birth. cleansed. The prayer continues. he (she) may likewise become a partaker in Your resurrection. die to sin.
The Epistles of the Apostles tell us that through Baptism we are sanctified. while the sponsor anoints the entire body. the Son. but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Tonsure Gift of thanks to God. the fountain of life…. Eucharist
Baptism
As we said earlier. Nicean Creed Confession of faith. As the priest is finishing the blessing of the water he recites a prayer which says. show this water to be the water of redemption. the renewal of spirit. Water Cleansing of sins. but you were sanctified.
This is done in accordance with the command of Christ Himself. Chrismation Seal of gift of the Holy Spirit. whose names are written in heaven. “
Baptism is like a resurrection. and increased the measure of grace entrusted to him (her). the cleansing of flesh and spirit.”
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.” Anointing with Oil Evade the grip of the devil. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.
“Being buried in the likeness of Your death through baptism.Main Elements of the Ceremony of Baptism
Exorcism Renunciation of Satan. the loosing of bonds. justified. and then immerses the body three times saying. the bath of rebirth. even so we also should walk in newness of life. are buried with Christ to arise with Him. He who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16). “Will You the Sovereign of all. Sign of the Cross Sign of victory over the devil. The servant of God (name) is baptized in the Name of the Father. the water of sanctification. it is a new birth. (Rom 6:4) The Greek word is “baptizo . (Matt 28:19) In Baptism all sins are forgiven. (1 Cor 6:11) We are buried with Him through baptism into death. the garment of incorruption. the illumination of the soul. Naming Emphasize individuality. this is the beginning of the Orthodox Way of Life. the remission of sins. New clothes New life in Christ. Naked Like at our ﬁrst birth and a putting off of the “old person.βαπτίζω” which literally means “to immerse. the gift of adoption to sonship. It is a new birth and is performed for our salvation.
Make disciples of all the nations. he (she) may receive the prize of the heavenly calling and so be numbered among the first-born. Dance When a guardian angel is assigned. in You our God and our Lord Jesus Christ. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.” After anointing with oil the priest takes the child facing East.
Nourishment for the spiritual life. and having guarded the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen. and the Holy Spirit. Candles Entrance in to the Light of Christ. This is the gateway to grace and participation in the Mysteries of the church.

Nothing shows the nature of God's grace more than infant baptism. Baptism is not a divine pass that will get us into Heaven automatically.
Through baptism the door is opened to a new way of life. The faith of the godparent and their involvement within the sacramental life of the Church is crucial. God asks each godparent to assist in leading souls along the narrow path which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. It must be followed by a personal awareness or awakening to the many gifts of God's love bestowed upon us through this great sacrament.
Why Infant baptism?
It is normal for Orthodox to be baptized as infants. but instead insists that the whole emphasis of baptism is not an what the baby does or the parents or the godparents. It shows that we are wanted and loved by God from the very moment of our birth. It goes without saying that they must be an Orthodox person. but on what God does. Baptizing infants before they know what is going on is an expression of God's great love for us. The fact that we are Christians is not due to any act on our part. St. Our spiritual growth still depends on our God given free will. We must now cooperate with divine grace and partake of the support given to us through the mysteries of the Church on a regular basis. and bringing them up according to the law of God is perhaps the greatest of all things in life.God Parent (sponosr)
In the Orthodox Church every person. They claim that baptizing a helpless infant who is only a few months old and who is unable to believe is meaningless. it is due to the act of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit. They must bring godliness and holiness to the child. Why baptize a baby when it doesn't know yet what is happening? Why not wait for the baby to grow and believe in Christ and ask for baptism? If we were to follow this line of reasoning. Theophan the Recluse says that there is no holier act. Baptism is the starting point of our salvation. The child must accept what God did for him or her in Baptism. To be a godparent is at the same time a great honor and a tremendous responsibility. Some Protestants argue that the only valid baptism is that of an adult who believes in Christ. What better thing can we offer our children than to lead them to our Lord and teach them to imitate Him in their life. should have a godparent (sponsor) at the time that they enter into the faith through Holy Baptism and Chrismation. The Orthodox Church does not belittle personal faith in an adult who seeks baptism. Parents must exercise the greatest care in the selection of godparents for their children. Infant baptism is a practice that comes from the earliest days of the Church. It shows that God loves us and accepts us before we can ever know and love Him. child or adult. Of course Baptism demands a personal response on the part of the baptized child when it reaches the age of reason. It is truly an honor to be called upon to be a godparent. One now is united with the body of Christ in the Church and has the opportunity to participate in the gifts of God though the Mysteries of the Church. The task of steering a child along the narrow path. We must be willing to align our will with God’s will. It is in fact a role that is holy and needs to be taken seriously. we wouldn’t inoculate the baby against disease until he grows up and asks for it! But we know better. For this reason the role of the godparent is not to be minimized or trivialized.
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. Through the mystical life of the Church we will be supported in our spiritual growth toward this end.

in purity and up rightness.Holy Chrism
The use of such a holy oil can be found in the Old Testament. through redeeming fear of You. confirm him (her) in the Orthodox Faith. so that pleasing You in every word and deed.
Lord said to Moses. As the number of Christians grew and spread to various lands. Chrismation was separated from baptism in the 13th century." which are still used today. (Exodus
30:22‑25) The Holy Chrism is prepared from oil and another fragrant essences." which includes 57 kinds of elements. 'Take the finest spices ‑‑ 12 pounds of liqu i d m y r r h. from which the Holy Chrism is made. he (she) May become a child and heir of Your heavenly kingdom. objects. altar tables. there is an ofﬁcial List of kinds of fragrances. It is stated that. who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. and 12 pounds of cassia (all weighted according to official standard). “bestow on him (her) the seal of the gift of Your holy. deliver him (her) from the Evil One and all his devices. which symbolize the variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit that the Chrismated Christian receives.
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God. The most ancient list of materials and the aforementioned information "concerning the materials of the myrrh. In the West. 6 pounds of sweet cane. The
Chrismation
The Mystery of Chrismation is usually performed immediately after baptism as an integral part of the Baptismal service. (2 Cor 1:21-22)
The word Chrisma has a close relation to the word Christian as Christians were often called the anointed ones.E. Add one gallon of olive oil. date from the eighth century C. 6 p o u n d s o f swee t‑smelling cinnamon. it is also used to consecrate holy churches. This is the confirmation or seal of union with the Holy Church. Keep him (her) in Your sanctification. The prayer of Chrismation says. this act was replaced by the use of a special myrrh that was received from the hands of the Apostles.
omnipotent and worshipful Spirit and communion in the Holy Body and most Precious Blood of Your Christ. In the Roman church it is given to those who have become “the age of discretion” usually about seven years of age. At the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. mixed like perfume. And guard his (her) soul. Holy Chrism is used mainly in the celebration of the sacrament of Chrismation. and for other sacred ceremonial circumstances. and make a sacred anointing oil. This list includes the materials used for the preparation and making of the Holy Chrism.”
Chrismation was originally done by the Apostles by the laying on of hands.
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. and utensils.

blessed and broke it. saying. and I will raise him up at the last day.Ecclesiastical Implements
Eucharist Holy Communion
This is the Mystery where the bread and wine are changed by the Holy Spirit into the true Blood and Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. “This is My body which is given for you. you have no life in you. saying. This do. For this is My blood of the new covenant. “Take. Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of
Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life. and gave thanks. and I in him. This gift is distributed to all Orthodox Christians who choose to partake for the most intimate union with our Lord.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood. (John 6:53-56)
Since the Apostles did not believe this. eat. You can see in the photo above that the paten contains pieces of bread that have been cut from a larger loaf of bread.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper. The words that I speak to you are spirit. (1 Cor 11:23-25)
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. and gave it to them. I say to you. and gave it to them. do this in remembrance of Me. The Paten is where the Holy Bread is placed for the Communion offering as well preparation. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. “Take. This bread is especially prepared by a member of the congregation and offered as a gift. this is My body which is broken for you. which is shed for many for the remission of sins. “Drink from it. do this in remembrance of Me.
The Communion Cup symbolizes the Cup in the Last Supper when Christ offered wine to his disciples. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me.
(John 6:61-63)
Christ knew that these words were hard to understand. saying. which is shed for you. and when He had given thanks. all of you. and gave it to the disciples and said. as often as you drink it. (See next sidebar on Prosfora)
This was promised by the Christ on the occasion of the feeding of the five thousand. the flesh profits nothing. (Luke 22:19-20)
It is repeated by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. gave thanks and broke it. this is My body. The Spoon is used for the offering of the Holy Communion.” Then He took the cup. This is seen as the greatest of all the Mysteries.
And He took bread. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. It is the climax of our main worship service the Divine Liturgy. saying. The Asterisk in a cross formation is placed on the top of the paten to prevent the Cover touching the patenʼs surface. in remembrance of Me. For My flesh is food indeed.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. The Lance is used by the Priest to cut the Holy Bread. If anyone eats of this bread. and the bread that I shall give is My flesh. (Matt 26:26-28)
Same is said in Mark.
And as they were eating. The Eucharist was established as recorded in three of the Gospels. and they are life. and My blood is drink indeed. eat. he told them about His future Ascension. which I shall give for the life of the world. Jesus took bread. He broke it and said. he will live forever.
The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread. (John 6:51) Most assuredly.

This had been the understanding of the Church from the beginning of Christianity. While the bread is rising. it is appropriate to read some of the psalms or other spiritual reading. It is truly and actually changed. We being many. are one bread and one body. 20:7) and in 1Cor (10. 46. And even though there are many liturgies it is the same Christ in each one.”
The priest continues. converted. And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ. oil (for oil lamps).” Our Lord Jesus Christ is present in this Mystery with all His being. Although traditions vary.
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. the Lord commanded. pray and entreat You. There has never been any other interpretation in the Church. Who is offered as a Sacrifice by the priests. the maker begins with the Trisagion Prayers and the Creed. Prosphora refers to the bread offering. for we
are all partakers of that one Bread. we should believe that this is a sign of our Resurrection. It also unites believers with each other. and we ask. transubstantiated. not by a simple descent of the Holy Spirit and not through a penetration of the bread. not judgment or condemnation.” This is called the Epiclesis. Changes to this view in many Protestant churches are due to the denial of the mystery that grows with it. It cold be the priest or a layperson. And that which is in this Cup the precious blood of Your Christ. He does not say this is a symbol of my body. (1 Cor 10:16-17)
It is in the Eucharist that the believer is united with Christ. I t i s p r epared by a member of the parish. communion of Your Holy Spirit. charcoal. All who receive the Holy Communion receive the entire Christ. He is present totally even in the smallest particle. Amen. Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council said: “At the Divine Table we should not see simply the bread and the cup which have been offered." In one sense. Changing them by Your Holy Spirit. We can see this act performed in Apostolic times in Acts (2:42. is
it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break. Amen. It is not figurative. and bread. “Once again we offer you this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood. is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we. incense. Before one begins the baking process. Having given communion to His disciples. Preparing this bread is a very special and holy service to God.Prosphora
Prosphora is the bread used in the Liturgy. Do this in remembrance of Me. yet there is not considered to be any single moment that the change occurs. The work area should be sprinkled with holy water and a vigil light lit. ﬂowers. the congregation kneels and the priest lifts up the paten and the cup praying. but that this is my body. we should with faith understand that on the sacred Table lies the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. confidence before You. the baking of it becomes a prayerful and solemn undertaking. This is the result of a scientific world view and creative reinterpretation of the Scripture. The cup of blessing which we bless. are one body. After the transformation takes place the Body and Blood do not return to their former nature. forgiveness of sins.
This wording is very clear and does not allow for any other interpretation. send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here offered. By reﬂecting on the bread's use. (1Cor 10:17)
In the divine liturgy. all that we offer for the use of the Church is prosphora: wine. “So that to those who partake of them they
May bring vigilance of soul. not by the abundance of grace. This must be performed until He comes (1Cor 11:25-26). Grapes to wine. candles. etc. wheat to bread. Amen. fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven. though many. In all these cases we take something and make it into something else. transformed into the true Body and Blood of Christ.11). olives to olive oil. Our offerings are never raw materials. for we all partake of that one bread. and truly receiving His Precious Body and Blood. prayers are in order. but raising our minds high. Prosphora (πρόσφορα) is a Greek word meaning "offering.

(John 6:58)
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. The Eastern Orthodox Church has always used leavened Bread.
The bread which is used is wheat bread which has risen through the use of leaven. (John 6:57)
It pledges of future resurrection and eternal life. (In the Western Church they use unleavened bread. and I in him. you have no life in you. unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood.
He who eats this bread will live forever. some believe that until the 10th century both used leavened bread. I say to you. While the source of the diﬀerence is not clear. (John 6:56)
It nourishes the soul and body and aids our spiritual growth.)
Most assuredly. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. In the Scripture the word “artos .
He who feeds on Me will live because of Me.It is an obligation of every Orthodox Christian to receive Holy Communion.artos” is used for bread which is a leavened bread. (John 6:53-54)
It unites us with the Lord.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me.

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Regular reading of the Bible and spiritual writings. . but is not Holy Communion.
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Constant striving not to sin in the smallest way in the routine activities of our everyday life and personal relationships. uncomplicated and keepable.Pray with
the priest
Preparation for Holy Communion
The general disciplines for preparing for holy communion are the disciplines of the Orthodox Way of Life. and possessions with others.
Reading of the Epistle Reading of the Gospel
II. This is a continuation of the ancient Agape meal celebrated by the early Christians. Read prayers of thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Greeting Priest and receiving the andidoron
The congregation comes to the front of the Church.
Communion
Priest receives Holy Communion and prepares it for the congregation. bread that has been blessed earlier. reading and fasting should be brief but frequent. Regular practice of fasting (Wednesdays and Fridays) and abstinence.
Confession of Faith .
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. pew by pew. Read silently the Communion prayer before receiving Holy Communion. to Gods glory. Communion is offered to all members of the Orthodox Faith .
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Constant effort to do our daily work as well as we can. fasting. strength.
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Regular giving and receiving of forgiveness of sins with all the people in our lives. caprice or feeling. It will be different for each person according to age. health. Regular practice of a rule of personal prayer. The words regular and constant are repeated and emphasized because our spiritual practices and activities must be done according to a rule.Order of the Divine Liturgy
I. temptations and dreams) to our pastor.The Creed . for the good of people. Liturgy of the Faithful
Cherubic Hymn The Great Entrance – Procession taking gifts to the Altar. working and serving will be shaped according to the conditions of his or her life. personal prayer. contributing.Hymns The Small Entrance – Procession taking Gospel Book to Altar Bringing to mind the coming to earth of our Lord and the importance of His message of salvation. They are the practices which keep us alive to God.
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Regular confession of sins (and thoughts. The Lords Prayer – Recited by all in Greek and English. reading. Liturgy of the Word
The Great Litany . energies. which open our minds.Kneel at this time.
Spiritual Litany . to receive from the priest Andidoron. hearts and bodies to the presence of God s grace and power in our lives.
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Regular sharing of our time. available time. What a person does in regard to liturgical worship. simple.Pray with
the priest. The saints say that rules of prayer. The Consecration – Priest
elevates the Gifts . They must be done constantly and consistently with conscious attention and discipline.form a line in the outer aisles.Recited by all. and personal capabilities. They should be determined and established with spiritual advice and counsel in ways which permit them to be easily included within the real possibilities of ones actual life.
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Regular donations of money to the Church. They include:
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Antiphons . and to those in need.
Regular participation in the Church’s liturgical worship. pure. or to someone whom our pastor authorizes and blesses for this purpose. They cannot be left to whim. feelings.

draw near". In this case. The invisible microbes that may enter our mouths from the previous communicant are harmless. the Orthodox Church's Holy Tradition knows and keeps the necessity of preparation for Communion. People with disciplined spiritual lives who partake regularly and frequently of the sacraments will have less specific preparation for holy communion than those with undisciplined spiritual lives who seldom partake of the holy mysteries.
The Orthodox Church uses one Holy Spoon and one Holy Chalice to distribute the Holy Body and Holy Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to each person individually and personally. The latter will surely have to make extraordinary efforts to read special prayers.you must go forward when you hear the call. especially on the eve and morning before Holy Communion. Christians sin constantly. What is the correct manner? The answer is found in the liturgy itself when the Priest presents the Chalice and intones. faith and love. While we are all unworthy. Some ask if there is any chance to contacting a disease from the common spoon. faith and love". most especially in the reception of Holy Communion. do special good deeds. If we truly believe in God. taking positive and persistent steps towards reconciliation with all. approached in the correct manner. Our Holy Church traditionally considers preparation to be fervent prayer. when will you be worthy?
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. strict fasting. This shows how seriously the Eucharist should be taken when offered on Sundays. and there is no moral or canonical reason to impede you . They are divine (not human) gifts for our well being. we recognize that none of us are worthy of the great Gifts God gives us. It has been changed spiritually into the actual Blood and Body of Christ. we know quite well that God would never allow harm to come to us. and if you approach with "fear of God.Receiving Holy Communion
Specific Preparation for Holy Communion
As Orthodox. no one is prevented from communing because of unworthiness. You May fail to be regular in your partaking of the Eucharist because you feel unworthy. No priest has ever become ill or incapacitated after consuming the Holy Gifts. but preferably from the early evening. ask yourself. give special contributions. Therefore. you are obliged to receive the Eucharist. Sin is part of our life. not eaten or drunk anything after waking up in the morning). It has the fullness of Godʼs presence and grace. Did you know that the first Orthodox Christians took Holy Communion every day? So strongly did the early Orthodox Christians feel about this that they introduced the 9th Apostolic Canon that anyone who did not stay for prayer and Holy Communion must be excommunicated. "If we say we have no sin. Therefore forgiveness must also be a part of our life. and the truth is not in us" (John 1:8). They cannot harm you. Yet. From a purely experiential perspective. Nevertheless. If you have kept the Eucharistic Fast (i. takes away our sin and gives us the strength to draw closer to God. at least from midnight. every chalice on Sundays is consumed in its totality by the priest. anyone who is not prepared for the Holy Communion can and must be prevented from placing him or herself in great spiritual and bodily danger by communing.
How Often Should One Receive the Holy Communion?
Father T. such Gifts are the Gifts of His Body and Blood in the Holy Communion. after several mouths have communed from it.e. we deceive ourselves. keep special fasts. constant and consistent part of their lives. The Eucharist. especially with those with whom one has had a definite falling out. What you are receiving is not simply wine and bread with some water added. and make special acts of sacramental confession when these practices are not a regular. "With the fear of God. Avramis1 answers it this way. if you do not have a valid reason for not partaking. and above all other. The answer is no. Constant sin requires constant forgiveness.

knowing you are unworthy and seeking the help from our God. The Body of God both deifies and nourishes. but as I was taught by the Holy Canons. and life-creating Spirit.
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. not on my own. and awesome mysteries of Christ: hear me. evil practice and diabolical activity which work subconsciously in our members. It heals. But to the faithless who draw near without shame. good. He burns and sears both soul and body. no fornicator. sleep”. instructed by God. but the grace of the all-holy.Saint John Chrysostom
Dearly beloved and most cherished brethren. you ask. adulterer or sodomite. for “it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. small and great: Let none of you who is guilty of sin and who is gnawed by his or her conscience dare to draw near this sacred Fire before repenting and confessing or to come in ridicule. then during the week you will begin to discipline yourself and make a determined effort to overcome your passions and make every effort not to sin. humble and unworthy as I am. Therefore. the God-bearing Fathers. perjurer or liar. who are gathered in this holy temple to adore the living God in piety and justice and partake of the holy. enlightens and sanctifies the body and soul. You will pray and fast with relative ease for you are preparing your body and soul to receive Christ. that is. He will completely burn away your sins and will ﬁll your souls with light and sanctiﬁcation. Why do you feel this way? Only the devil stands to gain by your staying away from the Chalice. To those who draw near in faith and fear of Him who is our God and King and the judge of all mankind. immortal. and the ways of our Holy Church as received by the holy apostles. accepting His most valuable gift given freely by Him for your assistance. both men and women. the stronger the devil's influence in your life. “For this reason there are many among you who are sick and. many die without having repented or been forgiven. being sick. because God is a consuming Fire. I implore you and say: let no blasphemer. no thief or heretic draw near to the awesome mysteries of Christ or touch them without having confessed and prepared himself. I am the humblest and smallest of men: I do not know your actions nor do I know your needs. I speak. It helps us to turn away from every fantasy.”
One of the reasons we must constantly go forward is precisely because we are unworthy. You will be able to approach the chalice with a contrite heart. my brethren. The longer you stay away from the Eucharist. but I do know the fear of God which commands each and every one of us. for it is not I who speak and teach you. spotless. If you know that you will receive the Body and Blood of Christ on Sunday. no magician or fortune teller. If you are not able to accept the fact that you should be a regular participant in the Eucharist. purifies. It increases virtue and perfection for Communion with the Holy Spirit as a provision of salvation and eternal life.

Ten Ways to Participate In Worship
1. We need to revive this tradition in all our Churches. in which the deacon names a petition. The people say the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer as a body. "Let us lift up our hearts. They give the same response to all the petitions. the Son. "Let us pray for the peace from God and for salvation of our souls. grant us your peace from above and the salvation of our souls. When the deacon comes forward with the holy chalice and lifts it high. To make the creed come alive. he says. If the congregation does not enter in. "For the peace from God and salvation of our souls. It identifies ourselves as Christians. You don’t have to sing loud enough to be heard. and the Holy Spirit. "Blessed be the Kingdom of the Father. Receiving Holy Communion. so that it truly expresses our thoughts and feelings. In the Lord’s Prayer it is clear that we are taking to God. Ma n y Orthodox people are not accustomed to singing in Church. draw near' " Come close to commune with God. these dialogues often go unnoticed and unheeded. We participate in worship through frequent communion. have mercy" or "Grant this. Instructions such as “Let us bow our heads to the Lord” require you to worship with your body. let us pray to the Lord. But the words actually are saying to us. But the Creed is different. you must consider to whom you’re confessing. But even in a parish
where the Choir does all the singing. What are told at the beginning of the readings? “Let us be attentive. One cannot be manifesting the Kingdom liturgically if he's not there. This is the most important way of participating in the Divine Liturgy. our challenge is to make the prayer our own.” Unfortunately we tend to make those words into mere ritual. it's the way the Church prepares. 8. the commands they contain often are not obeyed in the people's hearts. We participate in worship through physical action. ." The deacon is not actually addressing himself to God in these petitions: He's addressing the whole congregation. Then the prayers are no longer just words. "Dear Lord. After all. Who are the subjects? CHRISTIANS. Because I’m telling God what I believe. you are now following the instruction of the litany 5. 3." The choir sings the response but they are not really praying either. The deacon says. it really becomes personal. 7. That's a command. 4. 2. consecrates. but sing! The patristic tradition tells us that in the past they did sing." You can just say in your heart. the priest says. with faith and love. receiving Christ. All Orthodox services include "litanies" for example "Let us pray unto the Lord"." What's a kingdom? The place where a king reigns. 'With fear of God. Who's the King? GOD. He's saying (for another example)." You can also think of particular people and situations you want to pray for with each petition. For example. We participate in worship through our gathering together as the Church. I find if I think of talking to God. The most important way is when we make the sign of the Cross.the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. what is the holy Eucharistic Liturgy all about? Simply. But because we are not taught to participate in worship. it is a prayer and it touches my head and soul. We participate in worship through entering into it responsively The language of the Liturgy contains a number of dialogues in various parts of the service."
The words of the Liturgy in these dialogues invite us to involvement and participation. then nobody is praying! How does one pray the litany? Simply do what the deacon says. 6. The Divine Liturgy begins with the words. We participate in worship t h r o u g h s i n g i n g . There are many ways we use our bodies in worship in the Divine Liturgy. Where does the king reign? Where God is present and the Christians are present. instead of singing or chanting them . is the central act of the Divine Liturgy. Listen!
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. they are afraid of being conspicuous. It's really the congregation's role to pray these prayers. and administers the sacrament of Holy Communion. We participate in worship through listening to the readings and the sermon. it's possible to sing along with the choir softly. There are two places in the Divine Liturgy where we generally say the words. and the choir responds either "Lord. God's kingship is made manifest in us during worship. 0 Lord. an instruction. Being present is crucial to the liturgical life. This is one of the most profound things a Christian can do. “Pay attention.

“Again in peace let us pray to the Lord. why.There is something very important here. just waiting for the final blessing to go home. they had to move the bread and wine. If you understand this structure.D. We participate in worship through involvement in its structure. in which we pray. then move to a special saint’s Church or chapel to conclude it. 10. These repeated litanies do not contribute to the length of the service. Sanely Harakas. you’re able to participate in it. and ti can also be understood as symbolic.” That’s an instruction! Christians ought to really perk up and listen to the what the Holy Epistle and the holy Gospel has to say.” What does it mean for us to day? Not much. In order to conduct the Liturgy. But if you think of the procession (the Holy Great Entrance ) as symbolizing Christ bearing His cross on the day He was crucified for your salvation that act can become an act of personal worship. But if
you begin to participate in the Divine LIturgy and do the things the Liturgy instructs you to do guess what? The Liturgy gets shorter! You don’t notice the length of the Liturgy. The Great Entrance (when the Priest and the deacon carry the gifts around the church) originated in constantinople where they would begin the Holy Divine LIturgy in one
Church. the great Entrance. the chalice and paten. “Let us receive the invisible King. Fr. we participate in worship through personal devotion.
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. Th. So it became a grand procession.” The little Litanies come at the ends of the nine significant portions of the Liturgy. Finally. Some of the things we do in the Liturgy today have no real meaning except as symbols. The Divine liturgy has an organization and pattern. if all we do is remember the fifteen centuries ago they moved the elements of the Sacrament from one church to another. The Liturgy can be understood in a literal sense. 9. to a new location. which most Orthodox consider to be a problem. because you didn’t attend as a mere observer. That structure is revealed primarily in what the call the Little Litanies. when we sing. Take the Great Entrance.

for being in the Cathedral. For some unknown reason. By the way.) To leave immediately after receiving Holy Communion is to treat the Cathedral like a fast food restaurant where we come and go as we please. at the dismissal. When should you definitely stand? Always stand during the Gospel reading. the distribution of Communion. after all. the special services for a Memorial or the Artoklasia. when you get settled into your favorite chair at home. but it deprives us of a blessing.
Crossing Legs
In some Orthodox cultures. cross your legs. however. Remember. and we tend to do so to get comfortable when sitting. Crossing your legs is an even further surrender to laxity. But in God's presence we need to make every attempt to light this pressure to move on to the next thing on the day's agenda. the best way to avoid the problem is to arrive on time then you do not have to wonder whether it is appropriate to enter or not. In North America. In fact. When sitting in the Cathedral. The general rule is. keep your feet flat on the floor. If the celebrant is delivering a sermon. crossing one's legs is taboo and considered to be very disrespectful. or immediately upon arrival if your journey was lengthy. check with one of the ushers to see if it is a good time to seat yourself. try to enter the nave of the Cathedral quietly and observe what is happening. You surely do not want to get too relaxed and let your mind wander off too much. You should not need to get a drink of water during the services .and not too comfortably. it is used by both children and adults. It sometimes seems that our churches must have a revolving door at the entrance. and too relaxed. It is fully acceptable (and even preferable) to stand for the entire service. come to pray. Chairs or benches on the side walls are usually reserved for the elderly and the infirm. Do not come to the church in order to go to the fellowship hall. you lean back. When we ultimately get to the Kingdom of Heaven there will be no follow-
Entering the Cathedral (Late!)
The time to arrive at the Cathedral is before a service starts. stay in the back of the nave or
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. If a scripture selection is being read. Worship has a beginning ("Blessed is our God" or "Blessed is the Kingdom") and an ending ("Through the prayers of our holy fathers". the Anaphora. but because it is too casual. or an entrance is taking place. ready to stand at attention (which. not the normative posture for prayer. cross yourself with your fingers and hand . when you sit in the Cathedral.especially if you plan to receive Communion. If you arrive after a service begins. or during the Anaphora and Consecration. To partake of the Eucharist correctly you should be there for the entire Liturgy. whenever the priest gives a blessing. Just think about it. If in doubt. sit attentively . In the Orthodox "old countries" there usually are no pews in the churches. and then your mind can wander anywhere it wants to. Not because it is wrong to ever cross your legs. If you prefer this it would be better to find a place closer to the back or side of the temple so as not to stand out or block someone's view. Try not to interrupt a service by your entrance. Use the restroom before coming to the nave.but do not cross your legs!
In and Out
In and out should not characterize the traffic pattern through our Cathedral during services.Orthodox Church Etiquette
Standing versus Sitting
The traditional posture for prayer and worship in the Orthodox Church has been to stand. We live in a fast paced world where we seem to be hurrying from place to place. In our North American there are no real taboos concerning crossing one's legs. the Little and Great Entrances. Should we cross our legs in the Cathedral during services? No. narthex until he has finished. we have tended to build our churches with pews. wait until it is finished to find a seat. sitting in the nave is a concession to human weakness. is precisely
Leaving Before the Dismissal
Leaving the Cathedral before the Dismissal is not only rude. it has become a bad habit for some individuals and families to come late. what "Let us be attentive!" means).

Here are some general guidelines: Children: Only young children (under 10) should wear shorts to the services . ask for his blessing.on agenda.and to your friends in the fellowship hall afterwards. dress clothes were often referred to as 'Sunday clothes." When you kiss their hands. No one should wear a T-shirt with any kind of writing on it. not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves . "Master (if a bishop. the faithful usually take the bishop's or priest's right hand as though to shake it. Icons have been ruined by lipstick. cut-offs.and certainly not in a provocative or alluring way. Talk to God while in the church through your prayers. it is rude towards the other people in the Cathedral who are trying to worship. We deprive ourselves of blessings by not being still and participating in God's holiness.
Venerating Icons
When you enter the Cathedral it is customary to venerate the holy icons. we should offer Christ our best. etc. . Newcomers to the Church are often confused or perplexed about venerating icons. and it is at the very least inconsiderate of others to leave your lipstick behind for them to have to deal with." In the Byzantine tradition in this country. When you approach an icon to venerate it. Eat and run at fast food places . hymns. We should offer Christ our "Sunday best. and the same is true of our dress. but instead kiss it. the Communion spoon. Pay attention to what you are doing. you would kiss their hand. would you? Rather. in fact all too often the dress in our churches has become too casual. likewise when we arrive and hear the words.
Sunday Dress
Remember the time when people put on their "Sunday best" to go to church? In fact. "Blessed is the Kingdom . they are
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. When venerating (kissing) an icon. or 'Father' if a priest). the same respect you would show them in person. In fact. do not shake his hand. Besides being disrespectful towards God.but stay in the Cathedral to partake of God's precious gifts and to thank Him for them. pay attention to where you kiss. but not on icons.and then only dress shorts. the hands and feet on some icons are covered with metal for just this purpose and so as not to damage the icon itself. Shoes or sandals should be clean and tied. the next time you greet your bishop or priest. one approaches the bishop or priest with the right hand over the left hand and says. Our dress should always be becoming to a Christian . Moreover. or kiss the hand or foot. It is not proper to kiss an icon on the face. the one High Priest. spandex shorts." not our everyday or common wear. crosses. So. . and the Bishop's or Priest's hand. and thanksgiving . are never appropriate for wear in the temple (for children or adults!).
the hand of the person depicted. or hand cross in
Kiss (Don't shake) the Bishop's and Priest's Hand
Did you know that the proper way to greet a bishop or priest is to ask his blessing and kiss his right hand? How do you do this? Traditionally. There are icons in the narthex. bless.
not "just one of the boys. It is not appropriate to merely shake the hand of the bishop or priest. It just is not appropriate to greet people and have a conversation with them during the services. isn't it? Lipstick may arguably look fine on lips. after all. Remember blot off that lipstick first!
Blot that Lipstick
Have you ever looked at an icon in just the right light and have seen the lip prints all over? It's distracting. because. And we should dress modestly." we should be glad to sojourn in the presence of God's house..especially in the temple. show the proper respect due to the person depicted. you show reverence and respect for their holy office which is to be an iconographic icon of Christ. sign of the cross a third time followed by kissing the icon. just as when you kiss an icon. kiss the Gospel. scroll." This is not all that common today. they are the ones who bless and sanctify you. after all. and who offer the Holy Gifts on your behalf in the Divine Liturgy. Athletic shoes. It is customary when venerating an icon to make two reverences (sign of the cross followed by a bow). then a final reverence (sign of the cross followed by a bow).
Talking During Church
Isn't it great to come to the Cathedral and see friends and family members? But wait until the coffee hour to say "Hi" to them. In all the areas of our lives. you wouldn't go up and kiss the Lord or His Mother on the lips. As you venerate an icon.

it is nonetheless blessed and should therefore be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall all over the place. Eating snacks (or even whole meals) is totally inappropriate.you go to meet and worship God. The most effective
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. Remember to use your best judgment and good taste when dressing for the services. Children who are going to receive Holy Communion should learn to fast Sunday mornings by the age of seven.) jeans are usually too casual for wear at the services (especially those with patches or holes). and not an issue of dogma. thus effectively eliminating anyone else from sitting in that row. Again. if women do wear pants to the services. Blue (or black. pew blocking is not hospitable nor is it an efficient system of seating. move on over towards the middle. Don't be a pew blocker. upon entering or exiting the Cathedral. or the Gospel book. when passing in front of the holy Altar Table. By the way. etc.
form of pew blocking. Trousers should be clean. leaving the aisle seats for those coming later. but certainly always appropriate. and animal crackers. Here is a brief list of when to cross and when not to cross. No tank tops (or dresses with only straps at the shoulders). before venerating an icon. But there are times when it is specifically proper to cross yourself and times when you should not. Son. If a child has an immediate need for nourishment. At the very most. Shorts of any type are inappropriate. shorts of any type are inappropriate.
ion (you might hit the chalice with your hand). There are two solutions to pew blocking. they should be dress pants (not jeans or leggings).the bread that was left over when the Holy Gifts were prepared prior to the Liturgy. take one piece of Antidoron (you do
Pew Blocking
Never heard of pew blocking? It is the practice of sitting right next to the aisle so that no one else can get by or sit in the middle of the pew. So don't be selfish. The telltale signs are graham cracker crumbs. or taken outside the Cathedral to eat a snack. and Holy Spirit" at the beginning and end of the services and your private prayers. you do not need to be seen by everyone else . bring a change of clothing with you and change after the fellowship hour. they should be fed before the services. cheerios. takes place when two people take their places on opposite ends of the same pew. a bottle may be brought for very small children and babies. Remember. Coats and ties are not mandatory. Dresses should have backs and should not be low-cut in the front.
To Cross or not to Cross
Anyone who has looked around during the services will notice that different people cross themselves at different times (and sometimes even in different ways). when “to cross” oneself is according to personal piety. Shirts should have collars and be buttoned to the collar (the actual collar button may be undone. In fact. and also at the end of the Divine Liturgy it is customary to receive a piece of Antidoron . Though it is not customary for women to wear pants to church. Such activity is disrespectful of the sacred services and disruptive to others in attendance. Everyone has seen it.Women: Dresses should be modest. or green. Men: Men should also dress modestly. chewing gum is a NO-NO during Liturgy for everyone. and no skin-tight dresses.the Body of Christ . no short skirts (miniskirts). After all.
Snacks for Children
You can always tell where the young children have been sitting in the Cathedral. To Cross: When you hear one of the variations of the phrase "Father. For those of you who cannot handle sitting in the middle of the pew. but two or three buttons undone is inappropriate). Parents sometimes bring snacks or juice along for children during the services. Not to Cross: At the chalice before or after taking Commun-
Handling the Antidoron
After receiving Communion. parents should clean up any mess before leaving the pew. The first is simply to move towards tile middle of the pew. take the outside aisle spot and graciously allow those coming after you to go past you (even by moving out so they can get by). To a certain extent. the best pew blockers come early so that they can get the coveted aisle seats and then be sure no one can get past them. the cross. If you are going someplace after the services where you need to dress casually. After receiving Holy Communion. While Antidoron is not Communion . If a child did eat something during the service.

you will probably have good Church etiquette. the Holy Trinity.not need four or five pieces) and when you return to your seat .or get to a place where you can stop for a moment . "With fear of God. Arizona. And monitor your children as they take Antidoron and teach them to eat it respectfully
A Final Thought
North American society in the late 20th century is rather casual in its approach to life. take an extra piece .do not break yours in half be cause it produces too many crumbs. Do not allow this prevailing attitude to enter into your Orthodox Christian piety. but keep in mind that most of Church etiquette is based on common sense and on showing respect for God and others.eat the bread trying not to drop any crumbs. It was first printed in Word magazine. There are surely a lot of other areas that could be covered here. Always remember that you are in the Cathedral to worship God.)
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. Pastor of Holy Resurrection Church in Tucson. If you wish to bring a piece to someone else. draw near. The priest proclaims. who offered it to the faithful of his Diocese for their guidance. the official publication of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and all North America. It was subsequently reprinted in The Diocesan Observer.
(Editor's Note: The above is adapted from an article was printed at the direction of His Grace." let this be the way you approach all of worship. If you do. the official publication of the Serbian Orthodox New Gracanica Metropolitanate-Diocese of America and Canada The author is Father David Barr. faith and love. a parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Bishop Isaiah of Denver.

The warmth of the flame melts the cold wax. evil." Clearly the practice of lighting a candle as you enter the Cathedral is a powerful way of uniting your own prayer with that of the Church. Jesus said. enabling the wick to draw it up and transform it through fire into heat and light. and darkness. perhaps now is a good time to begin. white and bees wax candles ands well as large and small. and of lighting one on behalf of those dear to you. and that our lives and work in the Church will preserve and pass on the Faith to those who come after us." The candle should not be used as a magical substitute for prayer. sin. we are therefore mindful that all things come from God and that
we are stewards of the gifts He has given us. reminds us that the Faith has been preserved and transmitted to us by those who came before us. enabling the Holy Spirit to purify and illumine our souls. the lighted candle embodies the victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of death. living and fallen asleep. with that of all other Christians. it is customary to make a monetary sacrifice in the form of a donation. but should be lighted as a sacramental expression of our own conscious prayer. Taking the fire from another. Note: In the Narthex of the Cathedral there is a place to select a candle. When we take a candle. If you are not in the habit of lighting a candle each time you enter the Cathedral. "I am the light of the world. The basic idea of "Light" as opposed to "darkness" is at the root of candles used in worship.
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. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness. In the same way.
Candles
For the Orthodox. and with Christ Who is the "Light of the world.Passing the flame from one candle to the next reminds us to pass to other the spiritual light which we have freely received from God. There you will see yellow. God's love melts our cold hearts. already lit candle. Which candle you select is only a matter of personal preference.

According to Your loving kindness. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve who fell from God’s grace and we must struggle to be freed from influences of fear of death and the passions of this earthly existence which are rooted in our physical make-up. Christ came to give us the Grace necessary for our salvation and the path to follow. He is
faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1
John 1:9). I was brought forth in iniquity. How do we ever fulfill the command given to us by Christ to “be perfect. We see this clearly in the parable of the Prodigal Son who said. we fall and become slaves of our passions. It is only through Confession preceded by the sincere repentance that our sins can be cleansed and our soul be healed. So. we need to be concerned about how we maintain our purity of our Baptismal state. Our salvation comes as a gift when our will cooperates with the Grace of the Holy Spirit. You desire truth in the inward parts. Behold. That the bones You have broken may rejoice. O Lord. A broken and a contrite heart— These. and I shall be clean. And cleanse me from my sin. no matter how great our repentance is. The faithful are to bring their sins to God in repentance. Sin is easy and common. The God of my salvation. Immediately following this we find we are still faced with the temptations of sin. Yet. Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed. He cast the seed and we must cultivate it. as our father in Heaven is perfect” (Mat 5:48)? It is only through the Mysteries of Repentance. The Lord knows our weaknesses and does not punish us for them if only we are willing to repent and work to change our ways. It is the same with our sins. and through appropriate preparation receive cleansing and forgiveness. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.With burnt offering and whole burnt offering. Purge me with hyssop. Make me hear joy and gladness. O God. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion. It is no different than when we have a bodily ailment and are suffering. And sinners shall be converted to You. He will forgive us if we are repentant. The sacriﬁces of God are a broken spirit. And renew a steadfast spirit within me. The Holy Fathers have taught us that Confession is the renewal of our Baptism. And in sin my mother conceived me. This will not cure us. Blot out my transgressions. And blameless when You judge. And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. You do not delight in burnt offering. According to the multitude of Your tender mercies. For You do not desire sacriﬁce. and I shall be whiter than snow. Repentance alone is not sufficient. You will not despise. And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. so we don’t have to despair about our weak condition. if it is not completed by the Mystery of Confession it does not give rise to salvation or reconcile us with God.” (Luke 15:21) With this the father opened his arms and
embraced him. but wishes us to return to union with Him and attain eternal life in His kingdom. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. You only. or else I would give it. O God. But God is compassionate. “Father.Psalm 51
Have mercy upon me. O God. And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak. We must seek out a physician of the body to help us get well. And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.and Confession and Holy Communion and our good works of love based on faith that we can preserve this purity. And blot out all my iniquities. and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Hide Your face from my sins. It is not sufficient to know them and feel sorry about them. Create in me a clean heart.
Repentance leads us to salvation provided it is coupled with Confession. Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacriﬁces of righteousness. Our body and its demands becomes stronger than our soul. It is not sufficient for us to know what we are suffering from.
I have sinned against Heaven. This is only the beginning of our healing. O God. Against You. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. We
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. and in thy sight. And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. God's Word promises "If we confess our sins. And my sin is always before me. are sealed with the Holy Spirit and receive Grace for our spiritual development and perfection. Behold. When we are not in communion and union with God. have I sinned. Confession is what reconciles us with the Father who loves us unconditionally. Wash me. Do not cast me away from Your presence. open my lips. He does not want us to die as a sinner. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways. For I acknowledge my transgressions.
Repentance Holy Confession
At Baptism and Chrismation we become members of the Church.

But when he had spent all. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it. "Confess your trespasses to one another" (James 5:16). and will say to him.” This a serious error. I pray and make the sign of my cross and ask for His forgiveness. God confirms above. He did not give this authority to icons or to anyone other than His disciples. Thus James writes. It is the grace of the Holy
Spirit which enables the priest to serve God and the people. 18:17-19). In confession the slate is wiped clean like at the time of Baptism. a Priest who is a Confessor. I know He is compassionate and will forgive me. Jesus encouraged His followers to walk in the light together. And he would gladly have ﬁlled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate. Paul writes to Timothy. give me the portion of goods that falls to me.ʼ So he divided to them his livelihood. (Lk 15:11-24)
must seek out a spiritual doctor. we will not be cured and our soul in its sickness will be eternally separated from God. the Hierarchs and Priests. Many say. This sacrament like the others is a gift from God. Out of mercy. “Father. and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father. And the son said to him. and the Master agrees with the opinion of His slaves". Make me like one of your hired servants. He will help you and give you advice about how to fight your passions. but He forgives it only through the medium of the spiritual Father and the Mystery of Confession. and he sent him into his ﬁelds to feed swine. and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. “I confess my sins privately in front of my icons at home.ʼ And they began to be merry. ʻFather.”ʼ “And he arose and came to his father. Not even the Theotokos was given this authority. ʻHow many of my father ʼ s hired servants have bread enough and to spare. I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. He will console you and offer solu-
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. the younger son gathered all together. Priests are only the visible instrument of God's mercy at the performance of the Mystery. But as time went on and the Church grew in numbers. his father saw him and had compassion. “But when he came to himself." (John 15:16). to confront problems corporately. He equips. If we do not. and let us eat and be merry. they are retained" (John 20:23. "You did not choose Me". ʻFather. to "tell it to the church" (Mat 18:17). Christians understood that Ordination endowed the discernment and compassion to speak the words of remission. he said. and no one gave him anything. "It is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). he was lost and is found. The Priest is a spiritual physician. It is only the Priests who were permitted to manage heavenly affairs. journeyed to a far country. and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. It is God (the Holy Triune) who forgives our sins. they are forgiven them. strangers came to visit and public confession became more difficult. Matt 16:19. Whom God calls. There is no doubt that God accepts the repentance of a sinner. I do not want to tell them to a Priest because I feel embarrassed and I am fearful that he will reveal my sinfulness to others. ʻBring out the best robe and put it on him. It was Christ Himself who gave His disciples the authority to forgive sin and said. "If you forgive the sins of any. for this my son was dead and is alive again. "The priests
decree below. Even the early Christians would stand and confess their sins to God in the presence of the whole congregation. if you retain the sins of any. which is performed invisibly through them by God Himself. Jesus told the Twelve. And not many days after. But when he was still a great way off. For God has promised the removing of sin from us "as far as the east is from the west" (Ps 103:12). They in turn passed this authority on to their successors. and am no longer worthy to be called your son. priests began to witness confessions of sin privately on behalf of the Church.ʼ
“But the father said to his servants. on behalf of Christ. there arose a severe famine in that land.The Parable of the Lost Son
Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country. and he began to be in want. and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. cf. It is for our spiritual benefit and to help us attain theosis and salvation. "but I chose you and appointed you. St John Chrysostom says. so he can grant us remission and offer the appropriate remedies for our spiritual sickness. And the younger of them said to his father. I have sinned against heaven and before you. To these same disciples Jesus promised. regarding the sins of those who confess and turn from sin. "Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6). From the beginning.

Our confessor may be like the bridge or the rusty pipe. "for edification. but to God. but God alone. in whose presence you stand. It is essential to remember that the remission of sins in the Sacrament is an act of mercy. You spiritual life will blossom. Others think that their sins will be forgiven if they simply give alms and do other good deeds without engaging in Confession with a priest. remission of the grace to sin no more. Lord
tions to the many problems you face. righteous and merciful Judge. “If you forgive the sins of any. not a judge waiting to had out punishment but a healer and helper. they are retained” we make bold to say” Whatever you have related to my lowly self. It is another truth of the Church that the condition of the Priest does not condition the work of the Holy spirit is effecting the Mysteries of the Church.
Priest says: My brother/sister. It is given for our spiritual profit. it is prudent to go to the Priest and with his help to set aside the entire burden of your sins. Eudocia. naming our sins and fail-
of heaven and earth. There are those who will insist and say that the Priest is a sinner and is therefore unworthy to hear my confession. Saint Moses the Ethiopian was a former robber. you relate not to me. Pray for him. and there are many more. Penitent then makes an oral confession. When we tell God all. that I have committed this day. But because of that divine word. He is a father. He is only a tool of God designated through the Apostolic succession. If this were true there would be no Church as we are all sinners including the Priests. This is what God wants us to do so we can be united with Him and allow Him to make us gods by Grace. With Confession you can feel an incredible sense of relief. The same with the pipes that deliver us water. to whom we confess. When we are sick we do not judge the moral condition of the doctor but look for his expertise and knowledge to help us. Likewise. Saint Cyprian was a renowned sorcerer and after repenting and confession became a Martyr for Christ. Wherefore I beg of You. If you need to cross a river and the only bridge to use is an old one you are compelled to use it to cross. Priest puts his stole over the penitents head and says:
My spiritual child. Thus we come before the holy icon of Christ. and are guided by the priest.. We do not do this when dealing with other people.
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. When you receive your salary from your employer you do not question their moral worthiness. He is assuredly a sinner like us and we should pray for him and have compassion. a physician of the soul as well as a brother and fellow sinner who experiences the same problems as you do. whatever brings you before God and to me. In the performance of the Holy Mysteries the Priest does nothing on his own. He is not a impartial fearful judge. helps us through a cleansing inventory of our lives. We should not scrutinize the sins of the Priest. The pipes may be rusty yet we drink the water when we are thirsty. This is a path to holiness for many of our saints. whether through ignorance or forgetfulness. These saints sinned greatly but in repentance they laid down the burden of their sins with Confession. He will embrace you and he can commiserate with you. what you have confessed to my humble person. may God forgive you in this present life. Other examples are saint Mary of Egypt. both hidden and known. and whatever you have failed to relate. joy and satisfaction. He is always praying for you. What does a person do who is carrying a heavy load when he is tired from this physical effort? He sets it down and seeks a cart or some means to carry the load for him.Order of the Sacrament of Confession
Trisagion Prayer 51st Psalm Penitent says: Father. and not for destruction" (2 Cor 10:8). when your sins provide a heavy burden. I who am lowly and a sinner have no earthly power to remit. I confess before You all that is in my heart and mind. You don’t reason about why it is not in better shape. our spiritual father. But his condition has no impact on the validity of any of the Sacraments. When a check comes in the mail delivered by a sinful mailman we do not hesitate to go and cash it. It is only our pride that does not allow us to humble ourselves and reveal our spiritual weakness to a Priest. spoken to the Apostles after the resurrection of our Lord saying.

not merely for one or two days. but throughout one's whole life…. and a new way of loving others and God. metanoia.ures. but an attitude.. a fundamental transformation of outlook. we hear those glorious words of freedom which announces Christ's promise of forgiveness of all our sins."
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." states John Chrysostom. We resolve to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). of man's vision of the world and of himself. a state of mind. denotes a change of mind.. The Greek term for repentance. This is why it is necessary to repent. penthos and wailing.
"is in truth wholly devoted to repentance. a reorientation. It is clear that what is at stake here are not particular acts of contrition. "For this life.

Think timidly and fearfully of our weak human condition. Begin your examination from the time of your last confession. people involved and so forth. Identify the underlying pattern which show you the characteristics of your inner heart. Examine yourself using the Ten Commandments of God as a guide. This can not be taken for granted as most of us are blind to our sinfulness. Wherefore. Examine the differences. saying. sons of God. Once you have identified this you have found the root of your sinfulness. reflect on these sins and their root until you see clearly that each one was committed according to your own desire. O compassionate Father.
Recall all your obligations in relation to God. In each case try and to identify the time. Psalm 24:3-4: Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. Read the Epistle of James and the Epistles of Paul especially Romans 12:9-21 and Ephesians 4.
Preparing for Confession
To make a good confession it is necessary to prepare yourself carefully. your neighbor and yourself. Make up a sheet with the Commandments of God on one side and your life on the other. In this process you will feel burdened and wretched.Beatitudes Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5:3-10) 1. Don’t listen to the excuses your mind will begin to make for you. Go through the ten commandments. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake (οι δεδιωγμένοι ένεκεν δικαιοσύνης): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (βασιλεία των ούρανων). Review the Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5). Blessed are they that mourn [οι πενΘουντες]: for they shall be comforted (παρακληΘήσονται). Also examine your good deed and try to see the motivations which were behind them. Once you have competed this list. the courage to make a sincere and complete confession. 5. It is most necessary that you be truly sorry for the sins which you have committed. Next. This will help you to avoid meaningless generalities and make you aware of specific behaviors that you will want to examine to change. hyioi Theou). Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (οι πεινωντες και διψωτες την δικαιοσύνην): for they shall be ﬁlled. I am guilty of this and that. 7. Keep working on this until you are ready to honestly say. 6. Feel
When I disobeyed in ignorance Thy fatherly glory. Blessed are the merciful (οι έλεήμονες): for they shall obtain mercy. try to recall whether you omitted anything through carelessness or lapse of memory. and make me as one of Thy hired servants. place. Blessed are the peacemakers [ειρηνοποιοί]: for they shall be called the children of God (υιοι Θεου. Was there a self serving agenda associated with them? Be specific in your examination. Identify the passions which are governing your life. I have sinned before Thee. or from fear of embarrassment. Don’t let this get you down. Also read the Epistle of Saint John. I wasted in iniquities the riches that Thou gavest me. Embrace the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32). Seek out the things you should not have done and those which you should have done but didn’t. who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity. and the strength to amend your way of life in the days to come. which may be lengthy. 8. These don’t help.
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. Ask God to give you grace to make a thorough examination of your conscience. 2. receive me repentant. Blessed are the poor in spirit ( πτωχοι τω πνεύματι ): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 3. Find the one passion which conditions all the other actions. I cry to Thee with the voice of the prodigal son. Blessed are the pure in heart (καθαροι τη καρδία): for they shall see God. and that you firmly purpose amendment of your manner of living. 4. nor sworn deceitfully. Blessed are the meek (οι πραεις): for they shall inherit the earth (κληρονομήσουσιν την γην).
You must take time to know your sins.

This is true metanoia or repentance. It is through the sacrament that all the guilt and bad feelings can be erased and you can start with a clean start on a new way of life in Christ.
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. The right feeling to have is one of regret and repentance. You will become keenly aware of how separated you are from God. This will lead you to making a vow to change. Once you have completed this process you are prepared for the sacrament of confession.good that you are uncovering your sinfulness and increase your desire to uncover them all. It is a renewal process that you need to undertake at a minimum of once a year.

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above. morning and evening? Have I prayed with zeal? Have I always attended Divine Services whenever possible? Have I missed any of them without good reason? Have I tried to serve God and keep His commandments?
Have I preferred religious books over others? Have I. that is. truck. soul and strength? Have I constantly had the thought of God in my mind and the fear of God in my heart? Have I failed to trust in God and His mercy? Has my faith in God been shaken by skepticism or doubt? Have I complained against God in time of adversity? Have I been thankful for God’s blessings? Have I questioned or doubted the holy tenets of the Orthodox Faith? Have I asked God to strengthen my faith? Have I despaired of God’s mercy or help? Have I prayed to God every day. the Father. read them? Have I read atheistic or heretical books out of sinful curiosity? Have I attended the meetings of heretics and schismatics? Have I willingly contributed to charitable causes and to the Church? Have I given a sacrificial portion of my resources? Have I neglected my duties to God through fear of ridicule or persecution? Have I denied that I am a Christian? Have I denied any teaching of the Orthodox Faith? Have I given way to superstition? Have I consulted astrologers.. food and drink. amusement or entertainment.
Have I made an idol of any person or thing? Have I given to any one or to any thing the worship that is due to God alone? Have I put God first? Or have I given first place to: accumulation of money. sloth. (Deuteronomy 5:8. acquisition of property. failed to serve Him and not carried out what is required of me by the Church? Have I given too much attention to my home and its furnishings.
First Commandment Thou shall have none other gods before Me. taking drugs. in fact. nor serve
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. One God in Three Persons? Have I acknowledged God as the Lord. or that is in the earth beneath. let my attention wander or been insincere? Have I neglected to receive Holy Communion regularly?
Second Commandment Thou shall not make thee any graven image. or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them.9a). selfadornment. its decoration and repair? Have I paid too much attention to a car. obsession with myself or with other persons or things? Have I been distracted from God by a passion for watching television or movies. the Source of all good things. spending time in distractions. drinking alcohol. and the Holy Spirit. attending the theater or playing games of one sort or another? Have I been so anxious about myself. the Savior of my soul and body? Have I loved God with all my heart.. clothes. fortune-tellers or spiritualists? Have I put myself before God? Have I forgotten or neglected the most important thing in life. the Son.Self-Examination According to the Ten Commandments
Use the following questions as a guide for self-evaluation. pleasure and carelessness?
them . (Deuteronomy 5:7). mind. eliciting praise. boat or other vehicle of travel? Have I been irreverent during Divine Services.
Have I believed in God. preparing for eternity? How will I answer God if I have given myself up to vanity. my family or my friends that I have neglected God. attention to myself. van.

and that it may go well with thee. counsel. or joked about holy things? Have I grumbled toward God or even renounced Him at any time? Have I shown due respect to the clergy and the faithful or hindered them in their work? Have I shown respect for all other people?
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. realizing a hunger for God and life in Him. rather than legalistically.Have I received the Divine Gifts without due preparation? Have I made an idol of myself? Have I made an idol of some passion? love of money? gluttony? sexual obsession? anger? Have I allowed a passion to take possession of my heart? Have I read the Holy Scriptures regularly? Have I read books that would be spiritually nourishing? Have I set before myself the holy life of Jesus my Savior and tried to imitate Him? Have I called on Him to help me? Have I read the lives of the Saints and tried to imitate their virtues. especially those of my Patron Saint? Have I asked for their prayers and their strength?
Have I prayed absentmindedly or inattentively? Have I cursed anyone or anything? Have I sworn a false oath? Have I broken an oath or a promise? Have I entered into any sinful or unlawful contract or made such a promise? Have I given in to despondency?
anyone to do so? Have I fasted properly in my heart. that thy days may be prolonged. children and others who depend on me for help. as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.
Have I been disrespectful to my parents or inattentive to their advice and concern for me? Have I been lacking in love for them? Have I withheld love from them? Have I disobeyed them? Have I neglected them or failed to help them? Have I cared for my parents in their illnesses or old age? Have I deceived my parents or caused them pain by my words or actions? Have I prayed for my parents and other relatives? Have I prayed for the repose of my parents and other relatives who are departed? Have I done my duty toward my family? Husbands: Have I sacrificed my life for my wife? Wives: Have I been obedient to my husband? Have I encouraged peace and mutual respect among the members of my family? Have I been responsible toward my spouse. in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Deuteronomy 5:16). guidance or support? Have I been wanting in love
Third Commandment Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain (Deuteronomy
5:11). Have I profaned the name of God in any way? Have I been thoughtless or irreverent with the name of God? Have I used the name of God in a curse? Have I treated something holy as a joke. just to fulfill the letter?
Fourth Commandment Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it. as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee (Deuteronomy
5:12). Have I failed to attend Divine Services on the Lord’s Day or on a Great Feast Day without just cause? Have I kept others from attending Divine Services? Have I done unnecessary work on Sundays or on Great Feast Days? Have I violated the sanctity of the Lord’s Day or Great Feasts by unwholesome or frivolous activities? Have I distracted others from keeping these days in a godly way? Did I pray at home if I was unable to attend Divine Services on the Lord’s Day or a Great Feast Day? Did I make every effort to worship "in spirit and in truth" while I was at a Divine Service? Did I allow myself to be distracted by worldly concerns at a Divine Service? to judge others? to think of unwholesome or frivolous things? Did I make the effort to come to Divine Services on time? Have I diligently kept the fasts of the Church? Have I caused anyone else to violate the fasts or tempted
Fifth Commandment Honor thy father and thy mother.

websites. the ill. suggestive or pornographic books. magazines. the stranger. the imprisoned. dances.for my spouse or harmed her/him in any way? Have I set a good example for my children? Have I tried to rear my children in godliness? Have I disciplined them with patience? or in anger? Have I been overindulgent with my children? Have I been stingy with any members of my family or with others? Have I neglected my godparents or failed to honor them? Have I neglected my godchildren or failed to instruct. pictures. movies. or have I contributed to the
death of another person? Have I had an abortion or given support or encouragement to someone else to have one? Have I wanted another person to die? Have I wanted any type of harm to come to another person or group of people? Have I tried to kill myself or thought seriously about doing it? Have I caused injury to another person? Have I caused injury to myself through smoking. idle or wasteful of time? Have I tempted others or led them to commit sinful acts or to entertain sinful thoughts? Have I tempted others through my own immodesty
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. especially when they chastised or corrected me? Have I honored God as my Father.
Have I killed another person. taking drugs or too much medicine or through evil and intemperate living? Have I given way to anger? Have I cursed anyone or hurt anyone with unduly harsh words? Have I been cruel to anyone? Have I ignored someone who needed help or failed to defend someone who was being treated unjustly or cruelly? Have I failed to respond to those who are in need: to the hungry. the depressed or those with other needs that I could help? Have I harmed someone spiritually by leading him into temptation to commit spiritual death through heresy. schism or by some other sin? Have I shown malice or hatred toward another person? Do I bear any malice or resentment or hatred in my heart toward anyone else? Have I failed to forgive anyone or harbored evil thoughts against anyone? Have I mistreated animals or destroyed or harmed any living creature unnecessarily?
Seventh Commandment Neither shalt thou commit adultery (Deuteronomy
5:18). overindulgence. the naked. the thirsty. dirty jokes or lewd songs? Have I eaten or drunk too much? Have I tempted others to do so? Have I associated with bad companions? Have I been a to unsavory place? Have I been lazy. brothers and sisters?
Sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill (Deuteronomy 5:17). the homeless. the troubled. mothers. tapes. transvestitism. Have I committed the sins of adultery or fornication? Have I committed the sin of masturbation? Have I had any sexual experiences outside of marriage? Have I done anything impure alone or with any other person(s)? Have I engaged in bestiality. plays or performances? Have I entertained impure thoughts or fantasies? Have I been unfaithful to my spouse through impure thoughts or fantasies? Have I looked at any person or thing in an impure way? Have I spoken or listened to impure or suggestive language. the afflicted. drinking too much alcohol. guide or encourage them in the Orthodox Faith? Have I worked for my employer honestly and diligently? Have I treated fairly and respectfully all who worked with me or who are under my supervision? Have I respected and prayed for the civil authorities? Have I honored those who are older than I? Have I shown respect for all others? Have I mocked anyone or made fun of him? Have I respected the clergy of the Church and prayed for them? Have I criticized them or mocked them? Have I been embittered against them. sodomy or any other abnormal sexual practice? Have I degraded myself or another person in any way? Have I forgotten or ignored human dignity? Have I been immodest? Have I lived in an improper way with anyone else? Have I read or looked at immoral. and other human beings as my fathers. the Church as my Mother.

his ox. efforts and thoughts on the things of the world rather than on the things of the spirit?
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. or his manservant. money. popularity. deception or conspiracy? Have I kept anything that did not belong to me? Have I stolen by not rendering a service for which I was compensated? Have I tried honestly to find the owner of lost articles I found.
Have I envied others? either their lives or their goods? Have I desired anything that was another’s? Have I damaged or destroyed the possessions or property of others? Have I desired things God has not given me? Have I been discontent with my life? Have I held back anything due to another because I wanted it myself or for any other reason? Have I hoped for the downfall of another so that I might gain by it? Have I failed to be gracious and generous to anyone? Have I wanted from God what I refused to give to a fellow man: forgiveness? goods? grace? physical or spiritual blessings? Have I been greedy? Have I been jealous of another person’s goods. being loved by another or others? Have I concentrated my time. when it was reasonable to do so? Have I cheated or defrauded anyone? Have I accepted or purchased stolen goods? Have I disposed improperly of the goods of another? Have I paid my debts in a timely way? Have I lived within my means? Have I lived extravagantly or wastefully? Have I been selfish with what is entrusted to me? Have I been miserly in soul? Have I shared with others? Have I been stingy? Have I given to those in need? Have I given a sacrificial proportion of my goods to the Church for God’s service? Have I been honest and upright in my dealings with others?
Tenth Commandment Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbors wife. appearance.or through suggestive language or actions? Have I been unfaithful to any trust? Have I betrayed the confidence of anyone else? Have I judged any other person?
Ninth Commandment Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor (Deuteronomy 5:20)
Have I slandered anyone? Have I lied? Have I added to or taken away from the truth? Have I made careless statements or spoken evil of anyone? Have I betrayed the confidence of another person? Have I criticized others? Have I rejoiced in the failings or downfall of others? Have I covered my brother’s shame as Shem and Japheth covered their father Noah’s? Have I spread gossip or scandal? Have I hurt the reputation of anyone else? Have I concealed the truth or assisted in carrying out a lie? Have I confessed to sins I have not committed? Have I confessed all the sins I have committed? Have I failed to come forward to defend another person when I knew he was being slandered or spoken against unjustly? Have I tried to see the good in others? Have I concentrated on the shortcomings of others? Have I engaged in idle chatter? Have I spoken unnecessarily? Have I laughed or acted frivolously? Have I made a real effort to be truthful at all times?
Eighth Commandment Neither shall thou steal (Deuteronomy 5:19).
Have I stolen anything or wished to do so? Have I stolen by fraud. his field. or any thing that is thy neighbor’s (Deuteronomy 5:2 1). or his ass. love. success. neither shalt thou covet thy neighbors house. or his maidservant.

who have left prayers for the healing of the infirm which entered later into the rite of Unction. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life.
In ancient Christian literature one may find indirect testimonies of the Mystery of Unction in Saint Irenaeus of Lyons and in Origen. seven Gospel lessons and the offering of seven prayers. to the Father. indicating in his answers that a) it should be performed "upon believers who are sick". any prohibition for a bishop to participate in the sacred action. which is essentially a transliteration of the Greek ευχέλαιον. and if he has committed sins. of the holy. Pope Innocent I answered a series of questions concerning the Mystery of Unction. and to the Holy Spirit. the priest anoints the body with the Holy Oil. It is offered to all who are sick in body.Holy Unction
Prayer of Anointing O Holy Father. This sacrament is used when one is ill and in pain. since one should not see in the words of the Apostle. Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist.begotten Son. either physical. of the holy and righteous ancestors of God. Mokius and Aniketos. through the intercession of the honorable bodiless Powers of Heaven. Christ came to the world to “bear our infirmities. and to the Son. glorious. there is every reason to believe that the Lord can heal those who are diseased. Samson and Diomidis.Giving Cross. O God. Amen. Thy servants from the ills of the body and soul w hich do hinder them. let him call for the presbyters. our God. c) this anointment may not be per-
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. also. which are all devoted to healing. For Thou art the Fountain of healing. let him call for the presbyters of the church. In the fifth century. and of all the Saints. If the faith of the believers is strong enough. that you may be healed. Physician of souls and bodies. The biblical basis for the Sacrament is found in James 5:14-16:
Is any among you sick. oil is also used in this Sacrament as a sign of God's presence. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Who didst send Thine only . through the power of the Precious and Life. and to the ages of ages. έλαιον = oil). and unto Thee do we ascribe glory. b) it may be performed also by a bishop. Therefore. strength. now and ever. through the prayers of our most Holy Lady. and even the approach of death. Cyrus and John. of our righteous and Godbearing Fathers. through the protection of the honorable. by the Grace of Thy Christ.” One of the signs of His divine Messiahship was to heal the sick. emotional. and stands for "blessed oil" (ευχή = blessing prayer. and let them pray over him. he will be forgiven. or spirit. Later there are clear testimonies of it in Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom. or Holy Unction reminds us that when we are in pain. and if it is the will of God. the BirthGiver of God and Ever Virgin Mary. or spiritual. Orthodoxy does not view this Sacrament as available only to those who are near death. mind. of the holy and healing unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian. Panteleimon and Hermolaus. and quicken them. anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. glorious and righteous Martyrs. and the Lord will raise him up. Christ is present with us through the ministry of His Church. The Sacrament of the Unction of the sick is the Church's specific prayer for healing. As with Chrismation. After the reading of seven Epistle lessons. our Lord Jesus Christ. and likewise in Saint Cyril of Alexandria. or a time of life when one feels alone and isolated. Thaleleus and Tryfon. and forgiveness. and the prayer of faith will save the sick man. The power of healing remains in the Church since Christ himself remains in the Church through the Holy Spirit.
The mystery of Holy Unction is also called euchelaeon. confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. Joachim and Anna. to heal every infirmity and deliver from death: Heal Thou.

and without ceasing. the healing of the sick is not itself a final goal. Thus. II Corinthians 1:8-11. but for eternal salvation in the resurrection and life of the Kingdom of God. All must die. Galatians 5:22-6:2.13:1-8. II Corinthians 6:16-18. the ritual of the anointing itself in no way indicates that it should be administered merely in "extreme" cases. O Christ. Matthew 15:21-28 7. In the case where a person is obviously in the final moments of his or her earthly life. 1. it is the clear intention of the Sacrament that through the anointing of the sick body the sufferings of the person should be sanctified and united to the sufferings of Christ. it is clear that the sacrament of Holy Unction is for the sick–both the physically and mentally sick–and is not reserved for the moment of death. In this way. 7:1. but is merely "instrumental" in that it is given by God as a sign of his mercy and as a grace for the further opportunity of man to live for him and for others in the life of this world. Matthew 10:1.Order of Holy Unction Service
• Introductory Prayers and Psalms 143 & 51 • Canon • Short Prayers or Troparia to the Saints • Epistle and Gospel Lessons and Prayers There are seven sets of Epistle and Gospel readings and prayers. how can one allow only one? The express purpose of the Sacrament of Holy Unction is healing and forgiveness. manifest Thy speedy visitation from on high upon Thy sick servants. Holy Unction is the Sacrament of the spiritual. and raise them up again to sing praises unto Thee. Luke 19:1-10 3.5-8 4. Romans 15:1-7. The Sacrament of Unction is not the "last rites" as is sometimes thought. because it is a Mystery. deliver them from their infirmities.
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. to glorify Thee. I Corinthians 12:27-31.
• Anointing of faithful
Troparion (Tone Fourth)
Thou who alone art a speedy succor. the wounds of the flesh are consecrated. even those who in this life are given a reprieve through healing in order to have more time on the earth. the Church has special prayers for the "separation of soul and body. and to those who are forbidden the other Mysteries. and mental healing of a sick person whatever the nature or the gravity of the illness may be. Matthew 9:9-13
formed on those undergoing ecclesiastical penance. James 5:10-16. through the prayers of the Birth-Giver of God." Thus. Since it is not always the will of God that there should be physical healing. Luke: 10:25-37 2. O Thou who alone lovest mankind. Matthew 25:1-13 6. In addition. physical. the prayer of Christ that God's will be done always remains as the proper context of the Sacrament. and cruel pain. I Thessalonians 5:14-23. Matthew 8:14-23 5. It is indeed the case that death inevitably comes. and strength is given that the suffering of the diseased person may not be unto the death of his soul.

that is. Through the Church's formal recognition of the couple's unity. According to Christ. but it wasn't until the 14th century that the sacramental rite of Holy Matrimony was formalized with a blessing. Jesus taught the uniqueness of human marriage as the most perfect natural expression of God's love for men. They are led into the Church in procession. This remains the strict teaching and practice of the Orthodox Church today. The Lord himself has not only given this teaching. indestructible. the "baptizing and confirming" of human love in God by Christ in the Holy Spirit. in essence. They fulfill their marriage. a man and a woman are given the possibility to become one spirit and one flesh in a way which no human love can provide by itself. and heirs of the everlasting life of his Kingdom. by their reception together of holy communion in the Church. In Christian marriage the Holy Spirit is given so that what is begun on earth does not "part in death" but is fulfilled and continues most perfectly in the Kingdom of God. Following the Old Testament Law. The couple is addressed in a way similar to that of the individual in baptism. In the sacrament of marriage. the marriage became Christian. gave a very specific meaning and significance to human marriage. that is. A specific rite of marriage appeared as early as the 4th century. They are prayed over and blessed. however. it must be unique. but he also gives the power to fulfill it in the sacrament of Christian marriage in the Church. in order for the love of a man and woman to be that which God has perfectly created it to be. it became the created image of the divine love of God which is eternal. When a special ritual was developed in the Church for the sacrament of marriage. Because of the tragedy of Christian disunity. but going beyond its formal precepts. It contains no vows or oaths. indivisible and unending. The two Christians expressed their mutual love in the Church and received the blessing of God upon their union which was sealed in the holy eucharist of Christ. It is the deification of human love in the divine perfection and unity of the eternal Kingdom of God as revealed and given to man in the Church. as all sacraments are fulfilled. only for baptized communicants. it was patterned after the sacrament of baptism/chrismation. They listen to God's Word. and of his own love for the Church. The Lord. The Christian sacrament of marriage is obviously available only to those who belong to the Church.Holy Matrimony
Marriage was not instituted by Christ. unending and divine. For centuries there was no particular ritual for marriage in the Church. and the marital union sealed during the liturgy in joint communion with the Holy Eucharist. unique. They are crowned with the crowns of God's glory to be his children and witnesses (martyrs) in this world. They confess their faith and their love of God. It is. and its incorporation into the Body of Christ. There is no "legalism" in the Orthodox sacrament of marriage. It is not a juridical contract. an Orthodox may be married in the Church with a baptized non-
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. however.

two Christians cannot begin to live together and to share each other's life in total unity spiritually. Marriage is the human expression of the creative and caring love of God. It is the practice of the Church as well not to exclude members of second marriages from the sacrament of holy Communion if they desire sincerely to be in eucharistic fellowship with God. intellectually. the fear of responsibility. because it is the firm Christian conviction that nothing should. imitative of divine love. the Orthodox Christian tradition encourages widows and widowers to remain faithful to their spouses who are dead to this world but alive in Christ.. This conviction that human love. It does mean. and the breakdown of marriages in separation and divorce. Thus. moral and sacramental teachings and experience of the Orthodox Church about the meaning of life. sacriﬁce and steadfast devotion. Through penance. considers temporary "living together. According to the Orthodox teaching. In marriage. the creation of children. is not Christian. love and marriage. however. In this instance. the perfect Love of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity which overflows in the creation and care for the world. just as athletes were crowned in ancient times at their triumphs. the couple must deny themselves and take up their cross as they relate to their spouses in building up the marriage. Neither does it mean that a childless couple cannot live a truly Christian life together. only one marriage can contain the perfect meaning and significance which Christ has given to this reality. sexual relations with many different people. and can in no way be considered as consonant with the biblical. without any coercion or forceful domination by either one over the other. the hatred of children. In this way. and the care and love for them within the context of the family. According to the Orthodox teaching as expressed in the sacramental rite of Marriage. a "kingdom" which the couple is charged to rule wisely and with full responsibility to each other and to God. etc. Because of the realization of the need for Christ in every aspect of human life. that the conscious choice by a married couple not to have a family for reasons of personal comfort and accommodation. the Orthodox Church does have a service of second marriage for those who have not been able to fulfill the ideal conditions of marriage as taught by Christ. by the same principle. and with the sincere confession of sins and the genuine promise of a good life together. the refusal of sharing material possessions.
Wedding Candles
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. however. or economically without first placing that unity into the eternity of the Kingdom of God through the sacrament of Marriage in the Church. and to commit themselves as responsible parents to their children. and if they fulfill all other conditions for participation in the life of the Church. prepared for the responsibilities of a Christian marriage. the desire for luxury and freedom. sexual relations between members of the same sex. An Orthodox Christian who enters the married state with a non-Orthodox Christian must have the sacramental prayers and blessings of the Church in order to remain a member of the Orthodox Church and a participant in the sacrament of holy communion. physically." casual sexual relations. or even can be done perfectly without Christ or without his presence and power in the Church by the Holy Spirit. should overflow itself in the creation and care for others does not mean that the procreation of children is in itself the sole purpose of marriage and the unique and exclusive justification and legitimization of its existence. The crowning is a sign of victory. is the normal fulfillment of the love of a man and woman in Christ. socially. The Orthodox tradition also.Stefana Wedding Crowns
Orthodox Christian on the condition that both members of the marriage sincerely work and pray for their full unity in Christ. The crowns also represent martyrdom. the Bride and Groom are crowned on account of their growth as mature Christians.
The crowns express the creation of a new household. all as contrary to the human perfection revealed by God in Christ.

asking his divine mercy.Koufeta
Sugar Coated Almonds
In light of the perspective offered above. the control of the conception of children in marriage is a very delicate matter. discouraged in principle and considered as perhaps possible only with the most careful examination of conscience. which represents life. except perhaps with the greatest moral risk and with the most serious penitence in the most extreme cases such as that of irreparable damage to the mother or her probable death in the act of childbirth. Odd numbers are indivisible. the mother alone must take upon herself the decision. They are placed in little bags in odd numbers and are served on a silver tray. The sugarcoating is added with the hope that the newlyweds' life will be more sweet than bitter. In such extreme situations. The abortion of a child already conceived is strictly forbidden in the Orthodox Church.
KOURAMBIEDES
Wedding Cookies
Almond butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar -
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. prayer and pastoral guidance. and cannot be justified in any way.
Fresh almonds have a bittersweet taste. symbolizing how the newlyweds will share everything and remain undivided. In the traditional Greek weddings they are called *koufeta*. she'll dream of her future husband. and all must be prepared to stand before God for the action. Tradition holds that if an unmarried woman puts the almonds under her pillow.

The Marriage Service
The Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage actually consists of two parts: The Exchange of Rings and The Crowning. procession into the middle of the church. The priest chants Psalm 128, "Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways..." This psalm is one of the "Psalms of Ascent" sung by Jewish pilgrims on the way to the Jerusalem Temple. This point in the service most clearly reveals the "action" of the sacrament. The couple brings themselves, each other, their lives, and all that fills their lives, to the altar as an offering to God. As the couple enters into the midst of the Church, their relationship enters into the new reality of God's Kingdom. that the man and woman, in their union with Christ, participate in His Kingship. Second, as in the ancient Church, crowns are a symbol of martyrdom. The word "martyr" means witness. The common life of the bride and groom is to bear witness to the Presence of Christ in their lives and in the world. Martyrdom is usually associated with death. So the reality of God's Kingdom in the life of the husband and wife will necessarily take the form of dying to one's self, to one's will, and the giving of one's life totally to the other, and through the other, to Christ.

Betrothal
The Exchange of the Rings
This first part of the wedding service can be equated with the 'civil service'. It takes place in the vestibule (entry) of the church; that area seen by the Church as the closest to the 'outside' world. In this service the Church first prays for the couple. Here the Church recognizes and blesses a union which has begun "in the world" yet awaits fulfillment in the world to come. After being blessed by the priest, the rings are placed on the right hand, the hand with which promises and/ or oaths are traditionally made and the hand with which the presence of God is recognized through the sign of the Cross. The rings, of course, are the symbol of betrothal, agreement, authority, and stewardship from the most ancient times. The exchange of the rings gives expression to the fact that in marriage the spouses will constantly be complementing each other. Each will be enriched by the union. The exchange of rings represents a pledge to share and exchange both their physical and spiritual goods, a pledge of eternal love and devotion. The Procession After the Exchange of the rings the priest leads the couple in

Declaration of Intent and Lighting of Candles
Having processed into the church, the couple must individually proclaim, before the assembly, that they have come freely, without constraints or prior commitment, to be joined by God as husband and wife. The bride and groom are then handed candles which are held throughout the service. The candles represent the couple's faith and willingness to follow the Light of Truth, Jesus Christ, and that they will have their way through life lighted by the teachings of the Church.

The Epistle
The epistle is taken from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (5:20-33). It presents the cornerstone of the Christian vision of marriage: the love of man and woman parallels the love of Christ and the Church. As Christ gives Himself totally to and for His Church, so the husband is to give himself totally to and for his wife. As the Church, in turn, is subject to Christ, so the wife subjects herself to her husband. Thus the two become one in a life of mutual love and mutual subjection to each other in Christ.

The Crowning
After prayers are offered on their behalf, the groom and bride are crowned by the priest "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". These crowns have two meanings. First, they reveal

The Gospel
The gospel, from John (2:1-11), is the familiar account of the Wedding Feast at Cana where Christ turns the water into wine. A person must drink water simply to survive. Wine, on the other hand, is more than just a drink that quenches thirst and contin-

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ues life. Wine is associated with joy, with celebration, with life as being more than mere survival. By His presence at this wedding He changes the union of man and woman into something new. Marriage becomes more than a mere human institution, existing for whatever purpose a society assigns it. It becomes, like the Church Herself, a sign that God's Kingdom has already begun in our midst.

The Common Cup and the Dance of Isaiah
After more prayers, a common cup of wine is blessed and shared by the couple as a sign of their common life together, a sharing of joys and sorrows, successes and failures, hopes and fears. This is followed by the triple procession around the center table: the Dance of Isaiah. The hymns return once more to the theme of martyrdom and union with Christ. These are the hymns that, since ancient times, the Church has used to emphasize God's blessings. They are the same ones sung at ordinations into clergy orders and signify that this couple has been set apart from the mundane world to live a life in Christ. Throughout the service things are done in threes in remembrance of the Trinity. Man is made in the image and likeness of God. Marriage is intended by God to be an image of the Trinity. It is the union of three persons, not two. Man and woman are one with each other and one with the person of Jesus Christ. Removal of the Crowns At the end of the service, the crowns are removed and the priest prays that God will receive these crowns into His Kingdom.

The reality of the Kingdom into which the bride and groom have entered is not completely fulfilled, but only begun. Husband and wife must receive God's Kingdom and make it both a present reality and a challenge and goal of their common life. Completion and fulfillment will come when Christ returns in power and glory to complete the establishment of His Kingdom in this world by filling all things with Himself.

The Greeting of the Couple
At the end of the service, the couple stands at the foot of the altar. From the beginning, at the back of the church, they have now progressed to the forefront. Only the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ, as signified by the Altar, remains ahead of them. Their final act is to turn and face the assembled Church. Through this sacrament, they have become an icon of the Church and icon of Christ and the assembly comes up to congratulate them and share in their joy.

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Guidelines for Marriage in the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Your wedding is the most important wedding ever. It is an historic event that will be remembered by you for the rest of your life. Because it is so important, we want to do everything we can to make it as special and as wonderful as we can. In order to accomplish this, we need to work together and to keep in close communication in the coming weeks. If you have any questions please call Father Tom at 2338531.

Setting the Date
The first step a couple should take after the decision to get married is to call the parish priest to verify if the Church calendar is open for the date requested and to set up a meeting time for the couple and the priest to review requirements. Please, DO NOT begin plans nor order any invitations until after meeting with the priest. The Church has set aside certain times and dates when marriages are not permitted to be performed. These dates include Lenten periods and various Feast days of the Church calendar. The following are additional days when marriages may not be performed: December 24 and 25 (Christmas) January 5 and 6 (Epiphany) February 1 and 2 (The presentation of Christ to the Temple) August 29 (The Beheading of st. John the Baptist) September 14 (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross) Marriages are also not permitted during moveable Feasts of Pascha (Easter), Ascension, and Pentecost or on the day before these Feasts. Marriages are not performed during the forty days of Great Lent, Holy Week, the Lent and Feast of the Virgin Mary Theotokos (August 1 through 15), and the Christmas Fast (December 13 through 25).

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony can be performed on the above dates only in an extreme emergency and by dispensation by the Metropolitan.

Who May Marry?
For a Greek Orthodox priest to be allowed to celebrate a marriage, at least one of the two spouses must be of the Eastern Orthodox faith. The nonOrthodox spouse must have been baptized in a Christian Church that baptizes in the Name of the Holy trinity. A marriage between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Christian or an individual not baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity can not be celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Marriage Preparation
Marriage preparation counseling is mandatory to help support a successful marriage. A minimum of four premarital counseling sessions are required before the marriage. At the initial meeting between the priest and the couple, dates and times will be set. During these sessions the religious, social , physical, emotional and moral issues of marriage will be discussed. It is important to learn what marriage means to Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is one of the Holy Mysteries of our Greek Orthodox Church. It unites both spiritually and physically a man and a woman into one cohesive unit, respecting and proclaiming each one’s individual personality, yet mystically drawing together man, woman, and the Holy Spirit into one family.

Spiritual Preparation
You are urged, if you are an Orthodox Christian, to receive the sacrament of Confession and the sacrament of Holy Communion as preparation for your marriage. By doing so you will bring a new vitality, a spirit, and bond to your marriage that will enhance and deepen your lives. If you are not an Orthodox Christian you are urged to partake in a spiritual preparation guided by your parish priest/ pastor which will grant you a renewal, enabling you to prepare spiritually for your wedding.

Papers, Documents, Certificates

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Those you do select as part of your bridal party must agree to observe the practice of the Eastern Orthodox traditions. except for the Koumbaros. This individual should be chosen very carefully for he/she is very important. a certified copy of the entire divorce decree must be given to the priest. capacity in the wedding. the original ecclesiastical divorce decree must be given to the priest. While the role of the best man/maid is that of a witness. is given the privilege of baptizing (as Godparent) your first child. If the nonOrthodox partner has not been baptized the parish priest will discuss the issue in detail.
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. although they can be the same individual in a wedding. 4. He/ she is also the person you turn to for advice and counsel in your lives when needed. A person who does not belong to a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese cannot serve in this important role. Since crowns are an integral part of the wedding. he/she must bring a letter of introduction from his/ her priest. know that they do not have to be Eastern Orthodox Christians. in many circumstances.
The Bridal Dress and Attendants’ Gowns
Care should be taken in selecting the bride’s dress. If you are not an Orthodox Christian. The Orthodox person must be a member of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Greenville. your Baptismal certificate will verify that you were baptized in the name of the Holy trinity. You may have in your wedding party both a Koumbaros/ Koumbara and a best man/maid of honor. a certificate verifying that you are single and eligible to marry should be obtained from your home country parish priest. etc. the almonds. If you were born outside the United States and came to this country after your 18th birthday. the person who. 2. If such is your plan. Non-Orthodox persons cannot serve ins such a capacity precisely because they are sacramental. If either of the couple has been married before. 3. An Ecclesiastical License which gives the Parish Priest Episcopal Authority to conduct the marriage in a Greek Orthodox Church is also required. A civil license must be obtained from the Court House of Greenville county (at University Ridge). He/she exchanges the rings and the crowns and holds the ribbon as you walk around the ceremonial table together as husband and wife. Keep this in mind if selecting any type of pill box hat or veil. the silver tray. If the Koumbaros is from an-
other parish. that of the Koumbaros is an active one.The following documentation is required: 1. If the Orthodox partner had a previous marriage blessed in the Orthodox Church. Traditionally. A person whose marriage has not been blessed in the Orthodox Church will not be allowed to serve in a sacramental. In the strict interpretation of the Church. The Ecclesias-
tical License will be mailed back to the parish priest in two weeks
The Bridal Party
Every couple married in the Eastern Orthodox Church must have a Koumbaros/Koumbara who must be a member in good standing of the Eastern Orthodox Church. South Carolina. This license must be obtained by the couple personally. The priest and couple will fill out an affidavit that will be sent to the Metropolitan’s office in Atlanta. The Koumbaros/Koumbara is mainly an ecclesiastical witness. the Koumbaros purchases the wedding crowns. headpieces must not interfere with the proper placing of the crowns on the bride’s head. having pledged for the current year. but not always. There is a 24 hour turn around time for obtaining this license. all runners are discouraged. canonical. used during the ceremony. groomsmen and ushers. It is a beautiful sight to have a bridal party with attendants. The bridal dress should also exercise a decorum befitting a church ceremony. the best man or maid of honor is considered to be legal witness to the ceremony. 6. the Koumbaros/ Koumbara is not the same as the best man/maid of honor. or they may be the same person. A certificate of baptism from your parish (if you are from a community other than Saint George).
The Rings
The vary nature of the Eastern Orthodox ceremony makes it a double ring ceremony. In other Christian celebrations of Marriage.
White Runners
Because of the tendency for the feet of the bridal party to get entangled in the runner. canonical responsibilities of Church members. signed by the Bishop of the home country Diocese. 5. The rings should be gold (white or yellow). the candles.

There can be no other musical instruments. An organist familiar with the electronic organ must be employed. There will be no moving around in the Church by the photographer/videographer once the Sacrament of Marriage has begun. This type of decoration is discouraged. Only Eastern Orthodox liturgical music or classical music can be used during the times before the wedding and after the recessional. but the photographer must have been shown by the
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. No flowers/decorations on any icons/iconostasion 3.Crowns. and we will not allow such practice. no fresh flower petals/rice/ koufeta may be sprinkled. They may be purchased at our Genesis Bookstore or elsewhere or you can make them yourself following the traditional styles and materials. and we want to do everything we can to keep its dignity intact. Because of damage to the carpet. but we also have a responsibility to keep order. there are limitations in space.” “stefana.
priest where on the solea the wedding party may stand to have their pictures taken. Stefana. 1. it is available at a cost of $75 to cover the costs of the supplies and sound track operator. though the Solea is quite large. Visibility and access for movement during the wedding must be taken into account. If/when flowers are used. or thrown onto the main aisle before or after the bride’s entrance. Again we are trying to keep the wedding as sacred and as dignified as possible.
Music
The Metropolitan’s Office in Atlanta has been very clear in what is allowed and what is not allowed in Church during the entrance of the wedding party and during the recession of the wedding party. the photographer should be finished with all family pictures in the Church. Much damage has incurred in the past. If candelabras/candles are used. 1. If a chanter is desired by the bride/groom. Wedding Wreaths and Candles
“Crown. They are placed on your heads during the wedding. An appropriate substitute would be to have the flower girl hand out individual stems to the congregation when she walks down the aisle before the bride. they must have heavy plastic under them to prevent their dripping on the solea floor. 6. In addition. tossed. pictures may be taken in the Church with flashes. but we also insist on rules that must be followed to keep order and dignity in the Church. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY BE PERMITTED DURING THE WEDDING BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR ANY MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION. 4. Only the Church organ can be used. discuss this with the parish priest. 5. check with the parish priest for specific guidelines in addition to the following: 1. 3. 5. Check with the parish priest to be sure the organist is approved.” and “wedding wreaths” are words used interchangeably. A list of the music selected by the bride must be presented to the priest so that it can be approved. Because the bride anagram will be holding them during the wedding. We encourage the recording of this historic event. The best rule of thumb is to keep flowers to a minimum.
Flowers
Our Church is quite beautiful and colorful even without flowers. White candles are also necessary. If the bride/groom wish to have their wedding acoustically taped using the direct sound system of the Church. The chanter must be approved by the priest beforehand. If any pew markers are to be used. 4. 2. Any questions should be addressed to the parish priest. The photographer must meet with the priest prior to the wedding to go over policies regarding where he/she will be permitted to stand during the wedding.
lowed. they must not be taped or tacked onto the pews. We do encourage recording of the Sacrament by a professional photographer. 4. it is suggested the candles be of a size easily handled and simple in their decoration. 3. No CDs or taped music is al-
Photographs
The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacred and meaningful celebration. 5. Within one half hour after the wedding. After the wedding. It is permissible to wear the crowns your parents wore. No flowers/vases/decoration allowed on the steps or platform of the second tier of solea (the level upon which is the Altar) 2. 2.

etc. musical numbers. and it is NOT to be used by the bride’s maids for dressing/preparation before the wedding. 6. If there are requests for special lighting. It is the responsibility of the bride/groom to tell the florist to have all wedding decorations and flowers removed from the Church immediately following the wedding. If there is a party from another Orthodox jurisdiction that would like to use another language. Non-Orthodox elements may not be added to or incorporated into the Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage. the rehearsal date and time should also be set in the appointment book of the community. it is suggested that he/she be experienced in this area. Usually. depending on the length of the processional and recessional. Any exception should be discussed with the parish priest. The wedding director/ coordinator must be approved by the priest. The brides maids may dress in the lower level of the Church or in the lower level of the Hellenic center. we ask that no food or drinks be brought into the Bride’s Room. poems. songs.or she can simply carry a basket of flowers down the aisle and walk directly to their spot on the Solea with the other attendants. If appropriate this should be discussed with the parish priest. Certain protocol must be followed and specific guidelines must be met. You should plan for about one hour from beginning to end.
Use of Language
English and Greek may be used in any combination upon consultation with the parish priest. it is. Because a considerable amount of money and effort have been spent in decorating this special room. These include religious songs and prayers from other traditions. Because this person will be responsible to keep overall order and timing for the wedding. it should be brought to the attention of the priest and approved before the wedding rehearsal
The Bride’s Room in the Narthex
The Bride’s room in the narthex of the Church is a beautiful facility set aside for the bride and her immediate family as they wait for the brides entrance at the beginning of the wedding.
Wedding Director
You must have a wedding director. The practice of celebrating an Eastern Orthodox Sacrament in a nonOrthodox house of worship or in the church of the non.
Lighting
The Church has a sophisticated electronic lighting system and controls that should not be tampered with by anyone except authorized personnel. rehearsals take place on the day immediately prior to the wedding date. This must be discussed with the priest before any invitations are extended. The rehearsal familiarizes everyone in the wedding party what is expected on the day of the wedding.
taken to avoid action.Eastern Orthodox party is not permitted except in the extenuating circumstances and only with the permission of the Metropolitan. If finger food or soft drinks/water wish to be made available for the bride’s maids or wedding party.
Receiving Line
Receiving lines at the Church are discouraged. of course. they may be placed in the open area
Length of Service
The length of the Eastern Orthodox wedding is approximately 45 minutes. music.
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.
Unlocking and Locking the Church Doors
It is the responsibility of the Bride/Groom to call the Church office to make arrangements to have the Church doors opened and locked before and after rehearsal and the wedding. Be sure you inform the priest who your wedding director is so that they can communicate with each other regarding the requirements in the Sacrament. He/she is vital to the rehearsal and the wedding. Please note that this room is only for the bride.
Location of the Ceremony
The sacrament of Marriage is to be conducted in an Eastern Orthodox Church. recitations.
Visiting Priests
Guest Eastern Orthodox clergy may participate in a wedding in the Eastern Orthodox Church if an invitation is extended to the by the Parish Priest where the wedding will take place. permitted with the approval of the parish priest. recitations and the like which take away from the profound meaning and teaching that is taking place during the Sacrament. What is prescribed by the Church as proper to the Sacrament is all that is allowed. Care should be
Rehearsal
When the date for the wedding has been set.

Everything should be removed immediately after the wedding is over. because the room is highly visible from the Narthex. The community is most appreciative our your cooperation in this matter. The decision should be made following thought and prayer and out of a true desire to become an Eastern Orthodox Christian.in the lower level of the Church ONLY. Please do not leave papers. etc. Also. these items are not to be brought into the Bride’s Room in the Narthex. we insist that it be cleaned by a responsible person of the brides party and left as clean as it was found. nor should it be made to make someone happy. boxes. It should not be a conversion for the sake of convenience. clothing. If you desire to become an Eastern Orthodox Christian.
A Note to the NonOrthodox
Conversion to the Orthodox faith is not a requirement. Again.
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. this matter needs to be addressed with the parish priest separately and apart from the wedding.

This is called Apostolic succession and it is fundamental teaching in the Orthodox Church because only through it can the clergymen receive the authority to become real representatives of Christ and the Apostles of the Church. Acts 2:33) From the Apostles the office of the Priesthood passed on in an unbroken chain to the first clergymen whom they ordained. the great High Priest." and conferred His priesthood upon His Apostles." (Hebrews 7:26. Mark 16:15-18. 8:2) Christ as the heavenly High Priest offered Himself as a sacrifice on the Cross "for all." He is also called the Archpriest or Archierefs. of the Priest and of the Deacon. (John 20:21-23. blameless. exalted above the heavens. and through them to their successors. which distinguishes him as being chief over the priests of a specific territory. Peter Orfanakos
What are the Orders of the Holy Priesthood?
The Sacrament of the Holy Priesthood derives its origin from Christ. depending on their
Deacon Charles Joiner
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. a minister in the sanctuary which is set up not by man but by the Lord. 1 Timothy 3:1-2.Ordination
By Fr. The name Episcopos was given to the successors of the Apostles (Acts 20:28. The first and highest order of Priesthood belongs to the Bishop (the Episcopos).. unstained. They teach the word of God.
Metropolitan Alexios
Presbyter Tom Pistolis
The Bishop
There are three orders of the Priesthood: the order of the Bishop. All bishops are equal among themselves as they hold the same degree of priesthood. but there are grades in their titles. separated from sinners. offer the Holy Eucharist and administer the other sacraments.. clergymen continue the work of Jesus. Matthew 28:19-20. As successors of the Apostles and representatives of Christ in His Church. Titus 1:7) and means "Overseer. Who was "holy. they govern the Church and take care of the spiritual needs of the members of their congregations.

the Gospel readings and other prayers and assists the celebrant bishop or priest in the sanctuary. and was characteristic of all monks.
administrative power.
The Origin of the Sacred Vestments
In the Early Church. Today it is a tight-buttoned garment which has a belt at the waist. the title of Metropolitan is given to a bishop of a great or capital city." (Matthew 20:26. Even then however. The feeling of reverence demanded that the garments of the celebrants should be festive. and celebrates all the church services with the exception of the ceremony connected with the consecration of a church. The Bishops. preferably white in color (a symbol of holiness and purity) and that they be decorated with crosses to distinguish them from ordinary garments. It is symbol of self . Exorason: The clothing that monks began wearing at the 9th century made out of linen in order to protect themselves from the weather conditions. Acts 6:1-7) and he assists the bishop or the priest in the celebration of the sacraments and church services. the fashions of the garments of people changed. He leads the community in prayer and blesses them in the name of the Lord. clergymen wore the same kind of garments when celebrating the church services as those worn by other people of that time. the Exora son wa s made in black. Cassock) was the garment of the Byzantine Empire. The word Deacon (Diakonos) means "assisstant. Kalimafi : A black cylindrical hat worn by many Deacons.denial from the worldly and devotion to the divine.
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. They distinguished the officiating clergymen from the laymen and at the same time reminded them all that the celebrants "are not of the world" (John 17:16) but participants of Christ's glory (John 17:22-24) clothed in the robes and the grace of the Holy Spirit.Rason: The Rason ( Anteri. there was a feeling that the garments of the celebrant clergy should be distinguished in some way from those of the laos (people). Priests. but the garments of the celebrants remained unaltered and took on a symbolic meaning. During services the Deacon recites the litanies. Priests and Bishops.
The Deacon
The Deacon holds the third order of the Priesthood. It is worn before the Divine Liturgy begins and during other ceremonies and even outside the Church. For instance. In the course of time. The title of Archbishop is given to the chief or first among the bishops of a large area. Throughout the years.
The Priest
The second order of the Holy Priesthood is occupied by the Priest. and Deacons wear it as a more formal item of clothing to distinguish themselves from the laity. The priest is in charge of a community which he spiritually serves. The title of Patriarch is given to the chief among the Bishops. He administers all the sacraments with the exception of the Sacrament of Holy Ordination.

develop a pure heart. This is not a task we can do alone. has been captured by the demands of our body’s needs. In this struggle we need God’s help. This freedom will allow us to give up our self-centeredness and align our human will with His divine will. Also. The Scripture writers and Church Fathers frequently write about the passions and advise us how to overcome them. in this way.
Elder Paisios
Why do we need to purify our Heart? What does it mean? What does the New Testament say about ascetic practices? Where do I begin? How do I pray? How do I fast? How does the liturgical cycle help me? How do I study the Bible?
We engage in ascetic disciplines for the following reasons: • Guard the Holy Spirit which has been planted within us. They are aids to help us overcome this fallen human condition. freed of the fear of death. They also talk about the importance of having purity of heart. If we try to do it on our own we will surely be defeated. Ascetic practices are not the end we seek. We should think of this as a liberating process so our soul can live free of the unreasonable demands of the body. Yet. These needs in excess we call passions. We have to do our part. They humbled their unruly ﬂesh with asceticism . remember that our current human condition is not normal.Ascetic Practices
Chapter 8
The most blessed of all people are those who exhibited the greatest repentance. so His grace can work with us. • Eliminate the passions that have been joined with our normal actions. instead of being aligned with God. Our soul. we need to purify our hearts. we will be in intimate relationship with God and be able to joyfully join with Him in His heavenly Kingdom for eternal life in paradise. solely by our own will.and granted the greatest joy to Heaven with their repentance (their return to God). God will not do it all for us either. but provide us with a means to the end we desire. The process is a process of surrender and humbling ourselves in the face of our Creator allowing Him to help us. and. So why don’t we put our priority on the well being of our soul? Why do we let our bodily needs dominate? It makes no logical sense. This is the condition we seek. our aim in this life is to seek union with God. The means we use to do this are called ascetic practices. at the time of our death. we know the soul will continue to live forever.subdued it to the spirit . • To purify our hearts • To attain union with God • To live a virtuous life Remember. union with God. We struggle excessively to maintain life in a bodily form that will sooner or later face death. To overcome this situation requires a struggle. with pain and inner contrition. extinguished the proud enemy. but a distorted one where our bodily needs dominate our lives. What are these passions that we must overcome? What are the virtues we are to gain? What do they mean by having a pure heart? How do we overcome our passions. and act with virtue?
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. With His help we can find peace and union with our Lord. so.

You are driven to react with anger which is a sin or an action taken without communion with God. The most basic of our passions is our desire for food. so we can avoid sin and instead show a virtue such as mildness. you are said to be enslaved by your passion. Then you choose to take some action as a result of your anger. This is not always easy. Listlessness: Lacking energy or enthusiasm feeling pleasure in one own achievements. These deep patterns must be broken and separated from automatic responses. The seven passions are: gluttony. Anger: Feeling strongly annoyed. There is nothing sinful about food itself or our desire for it.
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. To stop this kind of reaction we need to make a change of mind which in Greek is metanoia or translated as repentance. you find yourself attracted to the feeling more and more. Next. you struggle with this feeling of anger trying to put it out of your mind. Of course we cannot live without food. sensing oneʼs own importance. But most of us end up eating for pleasure and not just for the health of our body. We know we should not have that first piece of chocolate cake or the second one. This is why dieting is such a hugh industry. we will have the strength to deal with the others.
Virtues
Temperance: moderation and self-restraint especially in regards to eating and drinking. but with proper discipline can be offset by virtues. Diligence: being persistent and careful in ones activities. For example. This is the way sin develops and persists. so the body puts a high priority on this desire to meet its basic need to maintain its life. Avarice: Greed for wealth or material gain.
Passions are the uncontrolled desires that come from our bodily needs. Humility: having a modest view of your own importance. The sin is when we are no longer in control of this desire for food. This suggests to you that this person is against you in some way. displeased or hostile to another person. You yell or try to discredit the other person. They come about because we forget about God and only think of our own needs. All these passions lead us to sin. Lust: A sexual desire for someone or a strong desire for something. lust. You want to rebuke the other person. It is something that you do not seem able to control. But. They subordinate our soul to our egoistic or self will. depressed or low in spirits. but is an important task for our spiritual well being. especially in regards to excessive eating. but somehow we are captured by the delight it gives us even though we know it is not what our body needs for good health and the pleasure only lasts a few seconds. It is when the attraction becomes stronger and stronger as we think about it and find that we cannot stop our actions. In their wisdom they knew that if we learn to control this one passion. This strong attraction to food is why the Church Fathers put such an emphasis on fasting. anger. The path to our salvation calls us to develop the capacity to control each of the passions. avarice. listlessness and pride. Our challenge is to overcome these reactive patterns that seem to be etched in our minds. Eventually you let yourself become angry. Generosity: Freely giving of oneʼs resources and time and attention beyond what is strictly necessary. This attraction pulls us to over eat or to buy foods we cannot afford. this could begin by someone expressing an opinion that is different than your own. Chastity: Refraining from sexual relations with extramarital relationships. Mildness: having a gentle disposition and not being easily provoked Happiness: Feeling satisﬁed and content with what one has and has been given. Dejection: being sad. This is a natural and good desire God gave us for our well-being. separated from God and solely focused on your own need to justify yourself. dejection. Many of us are controlled by our appetites.
How do passions develop into sin?
Sin starts with a suggestion that comes into our mind. It is the natural first step in controlling our passions.What are passions?
Passions
Gluttony: habitual greed. as you struggle with it. This triggers feelings of anger in your mind. When you take such action based on the suggestion.

It is through the “heart” that grace of God penetrates us. laboring with sincerity and a pure conscience. Prostrations: a way of praying where one kneels on the ground and stretches out and puts his face to the ground. He was “lead by the Spirit” and withdrew into the desert where he fasted.What are virtues? What are the main ascetic disciplines?
Prayer: Having a dialogue with God on a daily basis. Virtuous acts are the fruits of ascetic disciplines and they only come by grace. happiness. or spirit. Here are located selfawareness. One with a pure heart overcomes sin and is blessed by grace to live a virtuous life. and humility. the seeking of salivation with humility. engage in vigils. the conscience. It is the place of Christ within us. (1Cor 3:6)
The main virtues are temperance. A pure heart is passionately in love with God. Worship: Attending regularly the weekly divine liturgies and the services for the special feasts of the church.
What does the New Testament say about ascetic practices?
At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. diligence. they are thinking of more than this. While in the desert He
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. Sign of the Cross: taking the right hand and putting the thumb and ﬁrst two ﬁngers together and tracing the cross on oneʼs body beginning from right shoulder to left and then the forehead to abdomen. and doing all we know how to do to control our passions. This is how Christ becomes our guiding force from within. Appolos labored. Are they thinking about our emotions and affections? No. Our efforts only provide the conditions for us to receive grace. Fasting: following a regular practice of abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink. Are they referring to our physical heart? Not necessarily. Sacraments: participating regularly in the sacraments of Holy Communion.
What is meant by purity of heart?
The term heart is often used by our Church Fathers. read Scripture regularly.
I have planted. but He was showing us the path we must take to prepare our human bodies for its eventual resurrection. chastity. Here is how Saint Theophan the Recluse puts it:
“The heart is the innermost man. He could have chosen another path. attend church services and participate in the sacraments regularly. the idea of God and of one’s complete dependence on Him. These are all known as ascetic practices. and all the eternal treasures of the spiritual life”
The “heart” is like the center of our spiritual being. The essential attitude for each of them is the acknowledgment of the omniscience of God. When our Church Fathers tell us to purify our heart they mean to remove all our tendencies toward sin so our heart is pure and able to freely receive the work of the Holy Spirit. but God gave the increase. Vigils: a form of prayer that goes on throughout the night. If we study the lives of saints who are people who lived virtuous lives. confession and holy Unction. periods of solitude. Reading Scripture and the Church Fathers: Having a daily set plan to read the Scriptures and the writings of the church fathers. generosity. we find that they fast. mildness. read the writings of the Church Fathers.

It is an “either/or” way of thinking. The Church supports us in this struggle. as your heavenly Father is perfect. blessed are the pure of heart. but we are required to spiritually respond to the free gift of grace. the Gospel teachings and the experience of many saints. how to and what to do). This is where your guide can help you. but to do them without showing off. As a result of this. fasting and good works. because this kind can only be driven out through prayer and fasting. At one point he told His disciples that they were unable to cast out the devil. We are all called to go to the “desert” periodically. We need to feel a pain and sorrow for our uncleanness. These ideals found in the Beatitudes underly ascetic practices for all Orthodox Christians. He was not talking here about social action. It provides us with instruction from the Scriptures. Christ made our moral duties very clear. the fasting periods and days of the Church. They are to love God with our whole heart. without hypocrisy or glory. and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The desert is a place that separates us from the normal activities of a secular life. Matthew shows us that the Lord initiated ascetic practices in addition to the withdrawal into the “desert. The rule must be practical and doable. almsgiving and worship contradict the free nature of grace and free gift of salvation.
was engaged in “spiritual warfare. He says. our Lord showed us this path and calls us to follow His example.4 Paul’s epistles to the Romans and the Galatians are often used by those who oppose ascetic practices in the name of modernism.” Jesus could have abolished ascetic practices. We need inner
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. To properly understand these two epistles. They use portions of these epistles to justify that salvation is a free gift of God and that any type of works. He is not just telling us to be better than average. The Lord very directly asks us to perfect ourselves. how much. Ascetic activities are properly placed in this response. poor and naked. prayer. for then you will have no reward with your Father in heaven. and the works in the law as refined by Christ. We must feel the need for ceaseless repentance. especially ascetic activities such as fasting. the examples of the Saints. “Let your light so shine before
men.” The “good works” he is referring to are the Beatitudes:
blessed are the poor. It must be speciﬁc and include books to read (when. that is feeling of remorseful and penitent. God created man with a free will in His image. Both of these extremes are false yet both faith and works are necessary. In the Gospel of Matthew the Lord says. As we have said previously this requires struggle and endurance.A Rule for Discipline
Everyone needs a rule for their discipline. believing that if one was saved by faith alone then one is not saved by works. God provided us with a synergistic path to salvation requiring us to use our free choice. “Take heed
that you do not your righteousness before men in order to be seen by them. soul and mind. but about our spiritual development. One starting out tends to have too grand of a rule and then fails at following it. but He purified them and gave them the proper status within our spiritual life.”2 He clearly tells us that we must work on our own self to perfect our way of being.” He “fasted forty days and forty
nights. What is most important. that they may see your good works and may glorify your Father who is in heaven. the Holy Sacraments or Mysteries. blessed are the meek. It is a place where we can be alone with God. We need to cultivate the attitude that we are blind. God is the cause and the initiator and one who completes our salvation. Our salvation is not based on either the extreme of faith alone or by our works alone. and Holy people. but to be “perfect” like God. pray.”
What is meant by the desert? It is a place where one can meditate alone. prayer. We are to do them. blessed are those who hunger.”3 He
shows us how to pray and He instructs His disciples to fast when He is taken away. fast and reflect on ones most inner essence intensifying their spiritual reality. “Be ye therefore perfect. We need to have contrition of the heart. one has to distinguish between the works in the law as understood in Judaism. This way of thinking denies Tradition.” He faced “wild beasts. He says.

“I beseech you therefore. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection. In his letters to the Corinthians He compares the spiritual life with that of running a race and warfare. “we have
received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name. He also writes. He is showing us that in the spiritual life it is just as in athletics. which proceeds and completes. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.”12 Here he places an emphasis on selfcontrol. “you who were slaves of sin obeyed out of the heart…”8 Earlier he mentioned the universal aspect of the “law that is written in the hearts” of mankind. We have to
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. He writes for example. “Do you not know that
those who run in a race all run. but we for an imperishable crown.. This has nothing to do with the “works of the law” in the Judaic sense. to make the right choices.”6 Our works are important along with our faith.. This purity is what needs to be developed to perfect our being so we can come closer to God. holy. one the will of God. He uses the analogies of preparation for athletic competitions. acceptable to God.”10 We are in his words providing
a “service” which is an action and offering our bodies as a “living sacrifice. He writes. He will lead you along a path to salvation. and one that is the will of man that responds and cooperates. brethren. that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown. Paul advises us to control our bodily desires. It can even be dangerous. He tells us. when I have preached to others. Paul writes that God “will render to each according to his works.”5 The idea of “obedience of faith” is one that implies
one’s full spiritual activity in the response to the grace of God. It involves an ongoing spiritual effort.
discipline. by the mercies
of God.A Spiritual Father
It is important to commit yourself to a spiritual father for guidance.”7 He sees that we are
engaged in a spiritual struggle. but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Paul also commands. It involves choice and action. I myself should become disqualified. that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.9 Paul is talking about the deepest aspect of our interior life. He is saying that we need to be able to control our bodily lusts first so we can make the choices that will allow us to carry out the tenets of the Law. Itʼs difﬁcult to travel a road where you have not been before without some kind of guide. How do you ﬁnd a spiritual father? When you seek you will be shown a guide. Paul says when talking about his and other Apostles’ calling.”11 Paul here is assuming
a synergistic action of two wills. “Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body in order to obey its lusts. “do not be conformed to this world. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. You can pray for the Lord to show you a guide. but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. but one we must prepare ourselves for. This is not the same as following some kind of rule book. He is constantly reminding us that our aim is life in the Kingdom of heaven which is not of this world. He is implying an obedience that comes from the heart and action in line with Apostolic teachings. which is your reasonable service. but a way of being where we are pure in our intentions. Also the word weapon implies that we are involved in a type of spiritual warfare. lest. or purity of heart. where one must practice and exercise to run a good race. Once you ﬁnd one entrust yourself to this guide. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Nor yield your members to sin as weapons of uprighteousness.

therefore. You can begin by abandoning any activity you think might not be consistent with the commandments of God. Choose a few changes to make and make them.. Both are accepted as legitimate paths although one may be preferable to the other.A Ten Point Program
1. but with God all things are possible. Honoring the Liturgical Cycle of the Church Follow the seasons of the church and participate in the fasts and feasts of the Church. 9. Rearrange your duties so they are congruent with your faith. 6. Daily Prayer A regular prayer rule that includes morning and evening prayer. Identify those things which will have the greatest positive impact on your life. This is not something that only monastics are expected to do. Organize your plans according to the liturgical cycle of the Church. not to be confused with the Laws of the Jews which Christ gave new meaning. are necessary. Regular Worship and Participation in Sacraments Regular attendance and participation at the Divine LIturgy and regular participation in Confession. An easy first step is to outwardly order your life. Spiritual Companionship Spending time regularly with other Orthodox Christians for support and inspiration. 10. Both faith and works in the law as set out by Christ. the actions that we take to improve or purify our human condition are important for us to be able to follow the teachings of Christ.
exercise. 3. Orthodoxy is not a faith that distinguishes between two ways of life . Put order into your family affairs. preparing just like a good athlete for the contest. These exercises are our ascetic practices. 7. make additions and then further changes. 5. Slowing Down and Ordering Our Life Setting priorities and reducing the stress and friction caused by a hurried life. Taming the Passions Overcoming our habits and learning to practice the virtues. The ascetic disciplines are the way we train ourselves to align our human will with the will of God so we can live in union with Him and through His grace be uplifted to paradise and eternal life. Take a look at your relationships and acquaintances and identify those that detract from your salvation and systematically eliminate them. It is something we all must engage in if we are serious about our salvation. if we desire to attain our spiritual goal to become like God. The Orthodox way is clearly not a passive one that is based on faith alone. Prepare and regularly participate in Confession and Holy Communion. You want to make steady steps in ordering your life. By our own power this is impossible. 4. Retain and increase those which are beneficial for your salvation. The path we take is one to be freely chosen by each of us. Throughout the New Testament. We have to deal with the environment that our choice creates for us. we see that there is implied a synergistic approach to our salvation and.
Where do I begin? Outwardly order your life
This all sounds so difficult and becoming perfect like God an impossible goal. We need to purify ourselves through self discipline so we can become more perfect and move toward our goal to become like God.monastic or married. Watchfulness Giving full attention to what we are doing at the moment. 2. Move forward carefully and seek guidance in your prayers and from your spiritual father. Create a pleasant environment around you in your home and office with icons that remind you of your spiritual aim. Reading the Scriptures and Holy Fathers Being inspired by the lessons of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the Holy Fathers and the lives of the Saints of the Church. Putting Others First Freeing ourselves from our selﬁshness and ﬁnding joy in helping others. Jesus Prayer Repetition in the heart of the Holy name whenever possible throughout the day or night. Don’t compromise on what is possible but think about how to take the first steps along a long path.
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. Make a list of what you can do. Periodically review this list. 8. Identify those which are the easiest to accomplish. Establish your schedule so that you can participate in all the Church services. Associate with those who share your Orthodox world view and way of life.

The Sign of the Cross
How Should I Pray?
"Prayer needs no teacher. This helps us bear our sorrows and deprivations in His name This keeps the image of the cross in front of us.
Heaven. to draw nearer to God. Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. prayer is the first discipline you should develop. What is prayer? It is the mutual and personal encounter with God. The perfect example of personal prayer is the one given to us by Jesus Himself: Our Father who art in
Make the sign of the cross regularly to acknowledge the presence of our Lord. on earth as it is in heaven. We can also pray to seek help for others as well as ourselves. Saint Isaac of Syria says that it is impossible to draw near to God by any means other than unceasing prayer. We pray to give thanks to God for all he provides for us.
How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13).
Why do we Pray?
First of all. This is not selfish. It is through prayer that we open ourselves to the invisible. imperceptible power of God. But we must not forget to pray for His help in our own spiritual growth. We also pray to seek forgiveness for our sinfulness. We pray so that God can help us to become
more like Him in our actions. Christ asks us to pray. This keeps in mind the glory of Christ in the Second Coming which is preceded by the sign of the Cross in the sky. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." St. To pray is to stand before God
with our mind in our heart. but essential for us to better love and serve others and carry out God’s commandments. This signiﬁes Christʼs suffering. that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. effort and personal ardor. Meletius the Confessor
Personal Prayer
Once you begin to outwardly order your life. This helps gain strength against our battle with the devil. This reminds us that we are called to follow in the steps of Christ. We are asked to pray without ceasing.
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. It requires diligence. We can ask also for His help in supporting us in the various ascetic practices we choose to undertake to help purify our inner being. He tells us in the Gospel of Luke. Cruciﬁxion and Resurrection for our salvation. and then God will be its teacher. as we forgive those who trespass against us. Here are the Scripture references to this idea. (Luke 18:1)
Our life is to become one of a constant prayer where we are continually in a relationship with God. This is our main task. We also pray for our renewal and the growth of our soul.
• • •
Pray without ceasing (1Thess 5:17) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
(Eph 6:158)
He spoke a parable to them. Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses. Thy will be done.

On it place an icon of Christ. Reflect on who it is that you will be addressing. Take the time at the beginning of your prayer time to quiet your body and to concentrate your energies in your heart.
How Do We Pray? A Regular Time
First. At first you will find it a struggle to maintain what seem like a simple discipline as there are negative forces that will try and keep you from regular prayer. With our busy lives this means you will have to make some conscious changes to make time for prayer. As the popular saying goes. Lord. Your time in prayer will grow as your relationship with God grows. But. Who art in Heaven. Amen Our Father. Pick a time that you know you can keep no matter what. forgive our sins. but deliver us from evil. you should set up a small home icon stand. and lead us not into temptation. on earth as it is in Heaven. Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life: come and abide in us. You should have as a minimum a time in the morning and a time in the evening. Remember. “Just do it!” Think of all the other things in your life that you do routinely like getting to work or school on time. Thy Kingdom come. Also an incense burner. there will come a time when you can’t wait for the time to pray. and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Cleanse us from every stain of sin and save our souls. or. shut thy door” (Matt 6:6). Holy Mighty. Once you choose the place. Comforter. Set aside. the Spirit of Truth. Have an oil lamp or candle that you can light while you pray. O Gracious Lord. pardon our transgressions. you need to establish a regular time to pray.
Praying
With a regular time and a special place. Christ says. space in a walk-in closet. both now and forever and to the ages of ages. have mercy on us. You prayer time should not be less than ten minutes in the morning and then again in the evening. or personal hygiene acts like brushing your teeth. hallowed be Thy name. and the Son and the Holy Spirit. a cross and a prayer book and Bible.. This is not a time for thinking or worrying. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.Trisagion Prayer You can begin all your prayer times with this prayer. both now and forever and to the ages of ages. it is God
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. Give us this day our daily bread. and your patron saint. Theotokos. Lord. you are ready to begin.(3) Glory to the Father. stand. You begin praying by focusing your consciousness in your heart and forcibly gathering there all the powers of the soul and body. Amen. This may be a corner in the bedroom (a room divider can help make a special place). if you are fortunate to have an extra room.. you need to find a quiet private place where you will not be disturbed for your daily prayer. Surely you can also make prayer a fixed routine. Holy One. sit or walk a few minutes and steady your mind to concentrate on God. It needs to be a place where you can be undisturbed and alone. and forgive us our trespasses. When you are preparing to pray. present in all places and ﬁlling all things. Remove all activities that could disrupt your inner descent. visit and heal our inﬁrmities. to the best of your ability. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. all of your problems of the day and your worries for tomorrow. The length of time is something that only you can determine in consultation with your spiritual father. a special room that is only for prayer. for the glory of Your name.
Heavenly King.(3) Glory to the Father. Strict discipline in this is important. Holy God. Thy will be done. Amen All Holy Trinity.
A Private Place
Next. Expect a struggle in the beginning to maintain a strict schedule. as we forgive those who trespass against us. both now and forever and to the ages of ages. “Enter into thy closet and . Master. have mercy.

You will need to have a specific set of guidelines that you follow each time with no excuses for shortcutting them. we continue following the same procedure. You must be sincere. Well. The mind is quite adept at being able to have you do more than one thing at a time. At the time of our regular prayer. Work to learn to concentrate your attention. for as many times as our spiritual father has ad-
Himself who you are about to talk with. without being seen by anyone. When driving at a speed of twentyfive miles per hour the car handles easy and if someone makes a dangerous maneuver you can easily avoid it. You should have a specific rule for both morning and evening. There are two ways we can pray using the prayer rope: 1. On the contrary. when we pray following the rule of prayer that our spiritual father has told us to follow. As you begin to pray enter into every word of the prayer. we hold the prayer rope with our left hand between the thumb and the index ﬁnger and move from knot to knot. Be sure to work with your spiritual Father on this. The Orthodox prayer books are filled with prayers that have been well tested and used for hundreds of years. Just stop and slow down and proceed asking God’s forgiveness and help. making the sign of the cross. secretly. When you are going 90 miles per hour down the highway the driver may feel powerful and in control. You need to bring yourself to a single focus on God. Don’t try and wing it. When this happens you have turned your prayer into an obligation and it is no longer true prayer. You are developing a discipline that is beyond what you will feel like doing. After you begin to recite your prayers you will find that your mind will want to wander. Eventually you will want to memorize them. and at times singing. We want to train it to slow down so we can open our heart to God’s presence. But at high speeds things can go wrong fast. Prayer does not have to be a creative activity. Bring the meaning of the words down into your heart. These wanderings of the mind show you the dimensions of your busy life that you need to find ways to make quieter so you can be always mindful of God. So. the mind works the same way. Keep your awareness in your heart and concentrate on the words of the prayer. Also. study the prayers before you use them so you know the meaning of each word. in prayer we say the words slowly so we can gain the meaning of them and allow them to penetrate our consciousness and to bring to our heart feelings of love and reverence for our God. Work to concentrate your
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. 2. Use prayer books and written prayers. In your rule. It is normal at first. reading. This is not a relaxation exercise but a path to be in communion with your God. You will eventually find the right pace for yourself. Beware of the tendency to rush to complete them hurriedly. incorporate standing. Don’t worry if you catch your self doing this. At any time of the day when we have free time. Once you establish a rule. At each knot we simultaneously do two things: i) with our right hand we make the sign of the cross over ourselves and ii) we say the prayer "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me". Sometimes it helps to say them out loud for a while. When you mind wanders. When we ﬁnish with all the knots of the prayer rope. be gentle with yourself and go back and recite again what you said while your mind was elsewhere. kneeling. Do not rush through the prayers like you are in a hurry to get them over with. it is a purely Orthodox holy object used only for praying and nothing else. Try to bring about a feeling of humility and reverent awe. Its like in driving a car. we hold the prayer rope with our left or right hand and move from knot to knot with our thumb whispering simultaneously or meditating upon the prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me" or "Most Holy Theotokos save us".What is a Prayer Rope (Comboschini) ?
The prayer rope is not some kind of amulet with magic or exorcising powers. Prayer it is not time to focus on these worldly activities. Don’t be concerned about this as this is natural due to the forces that do not want us to pray to God. because this will only further distract you from prayer. Bring yourself to concentrate on the words of the prayer. always keep it. Let them slowly drop into the depths of your heart with humility and awe of God. Let the words drop individually into your heart like pebbles dropping into a pond. prostrations. Make some prostrations before you begin.

The
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. 17). teach me to pray. Each day you will gain in your attentiveness during prayer. When the mind. conclude with this prayer. When you have ﬁnished. you can begin to say them in your mind. In this way you will know how many times you have repeated the prayer. To begin to recite the Jesus prayer. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) You begin the practice of the Jesus prayer as with other prayers by reciting them with you lips or saying them aloud.) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers. Of course this takes many years. Treasure it for a few moments. Teach me to act ﬁrmly and wisely. Just like the hygiene activities that we do for the health of our body. You need to have specific prayers that are part of your prayer rule. and with great piety and fear ought we to proceed to the doing of the great work which God has entrusted to us: to train ourselves in prayer by using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. It is a discipline that will pay numerous dividends in your Orthodox life over the years if you follow its simple practice. prayer is essential for the health of our soul. in its own manner.” The practice of the Jesus Prayer is to say the prayer over and over until it becomes an unceasing prayer in your heart. The same needs to be with your prayer rule. Amen. Such a mechanism of prayer is remarkably helpful and suitable. In unexpected events.
attention more and more. Try to hold in your heart what has been given to you. pray in me. Bless my dealings with all people. omnipotent and salvific. Reveal Your will to me every hour of the day. then the heart will join it with its own offering—compunction. When you finish your prayers.Suggestions for morning prayer
Lord. Remember to make your prayer life one that is a firm rule and not something that is done occasionally or sporadically. Have mercy on me a sinner. A common one has fifty knots. acquires attentiveness. A prayer rope is made of of a fixed number of knots. Then after you have learned to concentrate your mind on prayer. let me not forget that all are sent by you. Direct my will. John of the Ladder counsels that the mind should be locked into the
words of the prayer and should be forced back each time it departs from it (Step XXVIII. With faith therefore. Prayer ropes are made in monasteries and blessed with prayer in their making. Help me in all things to rely on Your holy will. “Lord Jesus Christ. Consider to what your prayer life commits you. You need to make prayer a similar habit that you never forget. without embittering and embarrassing others. You don’t forget to do them each day. Think about certain personal hygiene tasks such as brushing your teeth that you do each day out of habit . This is where the use of a prayer rope comes in. Son of God. St. ch. using your own words or some of the Prayers found on the Web Page. add to your payer rule the recitation of a certain number of repetitions. The power and effect of that name are divine. give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. Lord Jesus Christ our God. You need to commit to doing you rule each and every day. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. (Here you may add your own private prayers and intercessions. stand for a few moments. The prayer is very simple.
St. You might begin with saying it fifty times. Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with ﬁrm conviction that Your will governs all. Finally after much time you will descend from the mind into your heart and your prayers will be said from the depths of your inner most being. The name of our Lord Jesus Christ is a divine name. and transcend our ability to comprehend it. As you say the Jesus prayer you advance your thumb and forefinger one knot each time. have mercy on us and save us. with confidence and sincerity.
What is the Jesus Prayer?
The Jesus prayer is known in the Orthodox Church as one of the most powerful prayers. Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day. It must be done each day morning and evening at a minimum.

(John 15:14-15)
They are those He has received in His heavenly mansions in fulfillment of His words: Where I am.
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. (1Thes 5:19) However. Amen.. O Savior. deed or thought forgive me in Your goodness and love. and the prayer will be said by the mind and heart together.
heart will empathize with the mind by means of compunction. Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. and I ask that the evening and the night be without offense. Nothing can revive rotten seeds. Bless me. The words of the prayer ought to be said without the feast hurry. Grant this to me. As you lie down to sleep say: Lord. so that the mind can lock itself into each word. and save me. Your Son and Your Holy Spirit now and forever and ever. be merciful to me and grant me life eternal. God our Father. Grant this to me. Saint Paul tells us. there you may be also. and save me. for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. seeking their help in our spiritual needs. Amen. We must remember that those in heaven respond to our prayers with prayers for us. I thank you Lord. which is in Christ our Lord”. We make petitions to them asking them to pray for us and the remission of our sins and spiritual growth. protect me from all evil and awake me in the morning that I may glorify you. but I have called you friends. I glorify you. St. We pray for the forgiveness of sins for all who have died for no one is sinless (1John 1:8). A prayer of love can never be without profit. When we pray for the dead the Church intercedes for them just as it does for the living. shall be able to separate us from the love of God. They are not deprived of spiritual nearness to those of us here on earth. who have made a fearless confession of faith often with the threat of death. Prayer helps nurture the seeds of a new life that those who have died have taken up. Grant this to me. even lingering. “Neither death nor
life.
Why do we include Saints in our Prayers?
In our Prayer rule we can also ask the saints to interceed for us and to help us in our worldly struggles..Suggestions for evening prayer
Prayers of Thanksgiving Now that the day has ended. Glory to the Father. and the Son and the Holy Spirit Now that the day has passed. I praise you. who have a special gift of healing and perform miracles after their death when remembered in prayer. Amen Now that the day has run its course. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
Why do we Pray for the Dead?
In the Orthodox world view there is eternal life and we never leave the Church. The saints are near the Throne of God. and save me. and I ask that the evening and the night be undisturbed. who have demonstrated self-sacrificing service. O Savior. O Holy One. Grant me peaceful sleep. and I ask that the evening and the night be sinless. into Your hands I commend my soul and body. O Master. No longer do I call you servants. (John 14:3) Instead of praying for forgiveness of their sins. if during this day I have sinned in word. for a ser-
vant does not know what his master is doing. In God all are alive. The prayers for those who have died in impiety and without repentance are powerless. on earth we do not know what lot one has been subjected to. Saints are those holy individuals who have died as martyrs. (Rom 8:38-3) All the ancient liturgies attest to this both in
the East and the West. O Savior. Our Church life is penetrated by the living awareness and feeling that our dead ones continue to live after death only in a different form. Prayers for Forgiveness Lord. Now we are not to be deceived about reviving rotten seeds. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. These holy people the Lord calls His friends. we praise them for their struggles in Christ.

A prayer rule should first specify the place and time of prayer. the living creatures. Casually going to your place for prayer and simply talking with God is not the best way to begin to develop your prayer life. and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand.
A Sample Prayer Rule
A prayer rule is the outline of our daily prayer routine. (Heb 12:22-23) Sacred scripture presents numerous examples that the righteous. From the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (luke 16:10-31) we know that Abraham being in heaven could hear the cry of the rich man who was suffering in hell. and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne. We will find that we end up babbling in front of our God.repeat 100 times. who praised the Lord. and making three prostrations and then stand quietly to collect yourself in your heart Trisagion Prayer One of six Morning or Evening Psalms Intercessions for the living and the dead Psalm 51 and confession of our sinfulness Doxology and the morning or evening prayer Personal dialogue with God Jesus prayer . and the elders. and thousands of thousands. It is important to have a thought out rule. while still living can see and hear and know much that is inaccessible to the ordinary understanding. convinced they intercede for us before God in heaven. Then it should outline the sequence of your prayers and the specific prayers you will say. We can take advantage of the centuries of wisdom and being by using proven prayers that will lift us up in our way of communicating with God. (Rev 5:11)
Our communion in prayer with the saints is the realization of the bond between Christians on earth and the Heavenly Church. The saints while they were still on earth we able to penetrate in spirit into the world above.Then I looked. Below is an example of a beginners prayer rule Morning and Evening Prayer Place: In the icon stand in the spare bead room Time: 6:30am and 11:00pm for 20 minutes each time Begin by lighting a candle. despite the great unbridgeable gulf that separates them. The Church has always taught the invocation of the saints. Having a prayer relationship with a saint is another way that we can gain help in our spiritual path to salvation in the Church.
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.

Offer a prayer before and after each meal thanking God and asking for His blessing. It is the way the Church participates in perpetual prayer in the presence of God in the Kingdom of heaven. We should attend the divine liturgy each Sunday as this is one of God’s commandments. noon and mid afternoon to say a simple prayer. Attending the Divine Liturgy once a week is essential. no longer viewed as an obligation you struggle to fulfill. There is no tradition of corporate prayer which is not liturgical in the Orthodox Church.Reflect quietly on the tasks of the day and prepare yourself for the difficulties you might face asking God to help you . Repeat the Jesus Prayer in your mind whenever you can throughout the day. It can become a new source of joy in your life.
What is Corporate Prayer?
Corporate prayer is the official prayer of the Church when it is formally assembled. at home. Dismissal prayer Remember to stop mid morning .
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. and in his own mind and heart. To participate in corporate prayer one should also pray by himself. but not sufficient for a vibrant prayer life. When we attend the services we must remember to participate and to pray the litanies intoned by the priest or deacon and other prayers offered on our behalf. Hopefully worship in the church will become another habit to your life.

If you see an enemy. “ Go. (Matt 9:15)
Fasting is an important discipline. Jesus fasted for 40 days and we are told “he ate nothing. and then they will fast. and hold a fast on my behalf and
neither eat nor drink for three days. It also helps us develop the discipline that is necessary for our spiritual growth. Moses and Elijah fasted for forty days. He has to know the appropriate time that the medicine should be taken and the right amount of medicine and the condition of the body which is to take it. Fasting is a practice that was also shown to us by Jesus as well as the prophets of the Old Testament. John Chrysostom
Fasting is a medicine. The Church in her wisdom has provided for us fasting periods. gather all the jews. Are you fasting? Show me your fast with your works. In both cases the proper balance between the outward and the inward has been impaired.involves a considerable measure of
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. Therefore.
How do I fast?
Fasting is the second ascetic practice you should begin as part of the Orthodox Way of Life. As we fast we discover the things that control us. reconcile with him. 1Kings 19:8) Jesus also asked us to fast. it is necessary to examine and observe everything with every possible detail Fasting is the change of every part of our life. If practiced seriously. as beneﬁcial as it is. To be effective it must center on God.” Fasting reminds us that it is not food that sustains us. The tendency to over-emphasize external rules about food in a legalistic way. because the sacriﬁce of the fast is not the abstinence but the distancing from sins. if one who is going to heal the body needs so much accuracy. he is the one who.
The days will come. (Matt 17:21) In Matt 6:16 Jesus says “When you fast.. pass her by. On the outward level fasting involves physical abstinence from food and drink. David writes. when we care for the soul and are concerned about healing it from bad thoughts. If any of these things are overlooked. should be deplored as a betrayal of true Orthodoxy. no did I anoint myself. becomes useless because of the inexperience of the user. for ascetic fasting always has an inward and unseen purpose. the Lenten abstinence from food particularly in the opening days . I and my maids will also fast as you do. no meat or wine. Of course if you do not have sufficient faith to participate in the regular worship services or to participate in the sacraments or time for daily prayer. fasting will not be of much help to you. 13 The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. “I humbled my soul with fasting (Ps 69:10). when the bridegroom is taken away from them . do not be jealous of him! If you see a beautiful woman on the street. in reality.. abhors and ridicules the fast. show him mercy. the weather conditions and the season of the year and the appropriate diet of the sick and many other things.” The Prophet David fasted “I ate no delicacies. But medicine. whoever limits the fast to the deprivation of food.” (Ester 4:16) Paul engaged in a three day absolute fast
following the encounter with the living Christ (Acts 9:9).St. He said that we can overcome the devil only through “prayer and fasting”. night and day. These are times through out the year where we can focus on our spiritual life and double our eﬀorts in prayer and worship. the medicine will do more harm than good. in the words of the Triodion.“ (Daniel 10:3) Ester instructed Mordicai. but God. 'a living creature fashioned from natures visible and invisible' . Man is a unity of body and soul. If you see a friend who is becoming successful. So. Which works? If you see someone who is poor. (Deut 9:9.…” He assumes that you will fast and gives instruction on how to do it properly. and without such exterior abstinence a full and true fast cannot be kept. and the opposite tendency to scorn these rules as outdated and unnecessary. and our ascetic fasting should therefore involve both these natures at once. yet the rules about eating and drinking must never be treated as an end in themselves.

for this reason the philanthropic Lord. unjust. the hands from acts of injustice. Because he neither requires the abstinence from foods. neither is its aim that we remain with empty stomachs. But by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions. The inner significance of fasting is best summed up in the triad: prayer. but you devour your brother”. . If we regulated our life with a sober mind and directed all of our interest toward spiritual things. I thank You that I am
not like other men—extortioners. . It leads. It is useless to fast from food. Besides. unaccompanied by acts of compassion. we have a Lord who is meek and loving (philanthropic) and who does not ask for anything beyond our power. “God. the feet.
real hunger. protests St. So. fasting. adulterers. and also a feeling of tiredness and physical exhaustion. If we renounce these things. John Chrysostom. saying. ‘God. The observance of a physical fast undermines this sinful complacency. acquiring a false sense of autonomy and selfsufficiency. If we always take our fill of food and drink. True fasting is to put away all evil. The purpose of this is to lead us in turn to a sense of inward brokenness and contrition.John Chrysostom What if you are ill?
If you cannot go without eating all day because of an ailment of the body. he insists. inward tension and irritability. In the words of St.Lenten abstinence gives us the saving self dissatisfaction of the Publican who “beat his breast. we would not have any need of the help rendered by the fast. so that our gratiﬁcations would be completely stopped and that our worldly cares be transferred to spiritual works. if there are some who have gathered here and who are hindered by somatic ailments and cannot remain without food. we easily grow over-confident in our own abilities. “Without Me you can do nothing”. A critic of fasting says to him: “Our work suffers and we become irritable. especially during the first week of Lent: As we fast from food. Divorced from prayer and from the reception of the holy sacraments. “. To control the tongue. I have never seen servants [in prerevolutionary Russia] so bad tempered as during the last days of Holy Week. Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.14 Fasting is not a mere matter of diet. fasting has a very bad effect on the nerves. having distanced ourselves from secular things. almsgiving. The same point is made in the Triodion. then is our fasting true and acceptable to God. but prayed proudly. it merely leads to a heightened state of irritability. But because human nature is indifferent and gives itself over mostly to comforts and gratiﬁcations. Basil. but that we fast to offer our entire selves to the dedication of spiritual things. To abstain from lust. . the ear. the ear
from malicious gossip. Clearly. be merciful to me a siner!”
(Luke 18: 10-1 3). If it is not accompanied by prayer and an increased spiritual life. “should be kept not by the
mouth alone but also by the eye. I advise them to nullify the somatic ailment and not to deprive themselves from this spiritual teaching. . and yet to indulge in cruel criticism and slander: “You do not eat meat. beloved one. “The fast”. let us abstain also from every passion. It is moral as well as physical. aware of our helplessness and of our dependence on God's aid. no logical man will be able to criticize you for that. falsehood and perjury. like a loving and caring father. but to care for it even more. it is true. . Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food. it means “abstinence not only from food but from sins”. . our fasting becomes like that of the Pharasees or even demonic. It is natural that servants who took their fasting se-
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. and if we ate as much as we needed to satisfy our necessary needs and offered our entire lives to good works. slander.” To this Father Alexander replies: “You are quite right. or even as this tax collector. We think we can provide for ourselves all we need for life. neither that the fast take place for the simple sake of fasting.to the point where we appreciate the full force of Christ's statement. Such is the function of the hunger and the tiredness: to
make us 'poor in spirit' like the Publican. not to contrition and joyfulness. to forbear from anger. The link between prayer and fasting is rightly indicated by Father Alexander Elchaninov. devised the therapy of the fast for us. the hands and all the members of the body”: the eye must abstain from impure sights. to bring us. but to pride. It strips us from us the superficially pleasing assurance of the Pharisee who fasted.

Fasting Periods
1. we kill the flesh in order to acquire a body. Holy Week. we do not thereby dematerialize it. in modern usage this fast is not observed with strictness. In St. Paul enumerates the 'works of the flesh' (Gal. but makes our materiality once more as God intended it to be. Holy Week. the aim of fasting is to purge the body from alien defilement and to render it spiritual . 1: 31): to fast is not to deny this intrinsic goodness but to reaffirm it. depriving it of its character as a physical entity. All that God has made is “very good” (Gen. In making our body spiritual. but because they have been disordered by sin. They are as follows:
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. 5. soul and body together. and the body as well as the soul can become spiritual. These are Great Lent. but for the body. In Father Sergei Bulgakov's phrase.
riously and who were forced to work hard during Lent. But. and so we have need of fasting. Great Lent. Paul insists. heresy and envy. Fast of the Apostles begins on the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints and ends on June 28. Evil resides not in created things as such. is not to repudiate the divine creation but to cleanse our will. As St. then. while not being allowed to go to church. we are not pure. and suffering as we do from the consequences of sin.16 There is the weekly fast of every Wednesday and Friday. 'flesh' denotes the totality of man. that is. then.”15 Abstinence does not imply a rejection of God's creation. however. he includes such things as sedition. There is the Day before Christmas and Theophany. Fast of the Nativity of Christ (November 15December 24). We fast on the feast days of the Exaltation of the Cross (Sep 14) and the Beheading of John the Baptist (Aug 29). 4. both original and personal. in so far as he is redeemed and divinized by grace. living as we do in a fallen world. The 'spiritual' is not to be equated with the non-material. . were angry and irritable. which involve the soul much more than the body. in our will. In modern usage a strict observance of this fast commences after December 12. In modern usage a strict observance of this fast commences after December 12. (The celebration of the Marriage Service which is generally prohibited during fasting periods is permitted between November 15 and December 12). 3. A strict fast is observed from Holy Monday through the Paschal Vigil.
There are also fast free periods. The duration of this fast depends on the date of Pascha.to free it from egoistic tendencies. our spontaneous appetite for food and drink not because these impulses are in themselves evil. in so far as he is fallen and separated from God. By rejecting what is sinful in our will. Thus the soul as well as the body can become carnal and fleshly. keep us focused on ourselves. These are periods of great celebration. Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 1-14). 2. In this way. 5: 19-21). Paul's usage. the Lenten fast does not suppress the physical aspect of our human nature. which lasts for ﬁfty days. and in the same way 'spirit' denotes the totality of man. “To the pure all things are pure” (Titus 1:15). but in our attitude towards them. Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 1-14). soul and body together. we do not destroy the God-created body. During the fast we deny our bodily impulses . Then there are five fasting periods. A lesser fast is observed on the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. (The celebration of the Marriage Service which is generally prohibited during fasting periods is permitted between November 15 and December 12). and so at the Messianic banquet in the Kingdom of heaven there will be no need for fasting and ascetic self-denial. 14: 14). the eve of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles. Fast of Nativity of Christ (November 15December 24). but restore it to its true balance and freedom where the soul regains its noraml control. When St.for example. asceticism is a fight not against. neither is the 'fleshly' or carnal to be equated with the bodily. “Nothing is unclean in itself” (Rom. Fast of the Apostles. and require to be purified through self-discipline. Adherence to monastic traditions also calls for a partial fast during the week preceding the beginning of Lent. But making the body spiritual. The purpose of fasting.

Then to allow fish. Remember these are not laws or rules that we are to blindly follow but re proven practices that can help us come closer to God.Levels of Fasting
The most strict way of fasting to to abstain from all food. In this matter be sure to follow the guidance of your spiritual father. We can instead become proud of our physical achievements and lose our contact with God because of our sinfulness.
There are also different degrees of fasting that have been passed down to us . But it may be a starting point as we are so attached to eating of meat in our current culture compared to the earlier periods of Church history when eating meat was considered a luxury. Trinity Week — the week after Pentecost. But this is not what the tradition of the church suggests we do. We have to use them with the appropriate attitude to receive the benefit. So for us today this may be a difficult first step to take but donʼt end here. The most common fast today is to abstain from the eating of meat. The Church publishes a calendar which has the traditional guidelines for each day on fasting.
Nativity to the Eve of Theophany. ending with All Saints Sunday. This will make you think during the week about you purpose to come closer to God. Bright Week — the week after Pascha. Week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. The next level is to abstain from all animal products such as meat and dairy products along with oil and wine. Then the next level is to allow wine and oil. It will also prepare you for participating in the sacrament of Holy Communion each Sunday which will further support your spiritual growth. It will reinforce you prayer life. The rules guidelines that have been established for us are there for our spiritual benefit. Once you have succeeded in abstaining from meat on these days then you can look at this calendar and make your fast more strict. We must beware of putting to much attention on the physical aspects before we have matured in our inner work as this can lead us to thinking that we do all the work and forget that is the grace of God that we are trying to come in union with and to follow.
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. Begin your practice of fasting by starting the practice of the weekly fast on Wednesday and Friday. Fasting is not a contest but it is an important self-discipline that will help us come closer to God when practiced with the proper attitude. Orthodoxy is not legalistic or rule oriented.

What is the Importance of the Liturgical Cycle of the Church?
The church provides a cycle of that supports our spiritual development. It is centered around the feast days of Christ and Mother Mary. In eeach period there are new hymns and prayers to help us remember the event being celebrated as well as periods of fasting and feasting. Below are shown the major Feast days of the Church.

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In the next chart you can see the entire annual cycle. It begins with the nativity of our Lord which is preceded with a fast period. Then followed by a period of feasting and ends with Epiphany where Christ was Baptized by Saint john the Baptist and began His ministry. Then, we have the period of Great Lent that precedes Holy Week and Pascha. This is a time the Church Fathers have set aside for us to withdraw from many of the worldly cares to devote more time to our prayer and liturgical life. It is a period of strict fasting. Holy Week is the most intense period of the Church year with many services and strict fasting. Then comes the feast of feasts, Pascha. This is a great feast of the Resurrection and is followed by a period feasting. This period of celebration is capped by the celebration of Pentecost when the Apostles were empowered and sent to “all nations” to spread the Good News.

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Shown below is the weekly cycle with fasting on Wednesday and Friday.

Beyond this is a daily cycle of prayer.

Living the Orthodox life involves honoring God’s time. In this day and age we are all into time management. That is management of your own time. But we need to broaden our thinking and to think about God’s time. We need to make plans for daily prayer, for the Wednesday and Friday fasts, for the keeping of the Sabbath and the demands of the Liturgical cycle of the Church. Our time management needs to be modified to accommodate God’s time. Orthodoxy is a way of life.

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There are so many rooms in Scripture that we have yet to enter. God does not abolish our individuality but enhances it. In John there is a more inward and more mystical approach to Christ. Scripture is a "letter" from God. Each writer of Scripture contributes his particular personal gifts. The Orthodox Church believes in divine inspiration of the Bible. As we read. within the Church. It should be obedient. 2. when reading Scripture. the divine Word of salvation. namely: 1. it also means listening.in creation. dates. and listening. with an emphasis on the kingdom of heaven. a dictation machine recording a message. It should be personal. we come not simply out of curiosity. there is room for honest and exacting inquiry when studying the Bible.How do I study the Bible?
By Bishop Kallistos Ware: How to Read the Bible
WE BELIEVE THAT THE SCRIPTURES constitute a coherent whole. We may distinguish four key qualities that mark an Orthodox reading of Scripture. 4. But. If obedience means wonder. We hear the sound of
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. We are to feel toward the Bible with a sense of wonder. These are not simply books written by individual human writers. 3. there is also a human element in Scripture. They bear authoritative witness to God's revelation of Himself . Do you ever feel. They are at once divinely inspired and humanly expressed. When we come to the Bible. has its own particular approach. however. Matthew presents more particularly a Jewish understanding of Christ. We are to value both. Scripture should evoke in us a sense of wonder. where Christ Himself is speaking. And as such they express the word of God in human language. His allembracing compassion that extends equally to Jew and to Gentile. and interpret Scripture through the Church and in the Church. Each book of the Bible reflects the outlook of the age in which it was written and the particular viewpoint of the author. to gain information. of receptivity. Reading the Bible with Obedience FIRST OF ALL. Mark contains specific. The Scriptures are God's authoritative witness of Himself. And so it is in the writing of inspired Scripture. picturesque details of Christ's ministry not given elsewhere. for example. our response is rightly one of obedience. marked by a greater or lesser skill and perceptiveness. we see always the divine element. It should be Christ-centered. but the eternal. a personal question about ourselves: "How can I be saved?" As God's divine word of salvation in human language. There is so much depth and majesty for us to discover. Each of the four Gospels. It should be ecclesial. and the whole history of salvation. and authorship of books of the Bible. We come to the Bible with a specific question. Explor-
ing the human aspect of the Bible. Because Scripture is in this way the word of God expressed in human language. Since God Himself is speaking to us in the Bible. as you read or listen. receive. and sense of expectation and surprise. The authors were not just a passive instrument. we are to listen in a spirit of obedience. we
wait on the Spirit. with an emphasis on divine light and divine indwelling. Alongside this human element. For God does nothing in isolation. It is a whole library of different books written at varying times by distinct persons. Luke expresses the universality of Christ's love. while divinely inspired. Alongside the divine aspect. We are better at talking than listening. divine grace cooperates with human freedom. We know. We are to enjoy and explore to the full this life-giving variety within the Bible. that it has all become too familiar? Has the Bible grown rather boring? Continually we need to cleanse the doors of our perception and to look in amazement with new eyes at what the Lord sets before us. Our approach to the Bible is one of obedience. The Orthodox Church does not exclude scholarly research into the origin. They express the Word of God in our human language. in the Incarnation of the Word. we are to use to the full our God-given human reason. uncreated Word of God Himself. the Bible is also humanly expressed. then. We hear in Scripture not just human words.

but we also need guidance. To discover this "mind of the Church. Philip the Apostle asked him. we are to model ourselves on the Blessed Virgin Mary. in the apse. Even if it could be proved.whether our own or that of the scholars to the total experience of the Church throughout the ages. When reading Scripture. "How can I. it is said of her: "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). We read as the members of a family. is to stop talking and to listen . And our guide is the Church. The words of Scripture are not always self-explanatory. decorated in the traditional manner. we make full use of the findings of modern Biblical research. We make full use of our own personal understanding. Coming upon the Ethiopian as he read the Old Testament in his chariot. and it is also the Church that tells us how Scripture is to be understood. as we read Scripture. we see there. but not as isolated individuals. when Mary finds Jesus in the temple. of hands invisibly raised to heaven. A book is not part of Scripture because of any particular theory about its dating and authorship." We read in communion with all the other members of the Body of Christ. When we enter an Orthodox Church. an icon of the Virgin Mary with her hands raised to heaven . keeping all these things in our hearts. After the shepherds have adored the newborn Christ. So the first requirement. The same need for listening is emphasized in the last words attributed to the Mother of God in Scripture. that the Fourth Gospel was not actually written by John the beloved disciple of Christ. as a liv-
ing icon of the Biblical Christian. "Understandest thou what thou readest?" And the Ethiopian answered. has always held and still does hold?" We read the Bible personally.the ancient Scriptural manner of praying that many still use today. in all parts of the world and in all generations of time. Scripture reading is a personal dialogue between each one of us and
Christ . listened to the Word of God in her heart. but often we don't pause to hear the voice of the other person who is speaking to us. she says to the servants . for she is supremely the one who listens. At the Annunciation she listens with obedience and responds to the angel. we should receive and interpret Scripture through the Church and in the Church. we say not " I" but "We. and consider how they interpret the Bible. We are to be like her as we hear the Word of God: pondering. It is the Church that tells us what is Scripture. Reading the Bible. The Orthodox standpoint here is summed up in the question asked of a convert at the reception service used by the Russian Church: "Do you acknowledge that the Holy Scripture must be accepted and interpreted in accordance with the belief which has been handed down by the Holy Fathers. but always we submit private opinion . our Mother. at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee: "Whatsoever He saith unto you. the family of the Orthodox Catholic Church. The decisive test and criterion for our understanding of what the Scripture means is the mind of the Church. for example. we are told: "His mother kept all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:5l).and to all of us. are Biblical lessons chosen for reading at the different feasts? We should also consult the writings of the Church Fathers.our own voice. "Be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). Why? Because the Gospel of John is accepted by the Church and in the Church. assisted by the Spirit. Again. We are to listen in obedience as God speaks. this would not alter the fact that we Orthodox accept the Fourth Gospel as Holy Scripture. How. Understanding the Bible Through the Church IN THE SECOND PLACE. doing whatever He tells us. In all this the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a mirror. unless some man should guide me?" (Acts 8:30-31). She could not have borne the Word of God in her body if she had not first. It is the Church that tells us what is Scripture. God speaks directly to the heart of each one of us as we read our Bible. and which the Holy Orthodox Church." where do we begin? Our first step is to see how Scripture is used in worship. We are all in the position of the Ethiopian. Our approach to the Bible is not only obedient but ecclesial. in particular. The Bible is the book of the Church. and look up toward the sanctuary at the east end. This icon symbolizes the attitude we are to assume as we read Scripture .to listen with obedience. do it" (John 2:5).
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.an attitude of receptivity.

we discover the unity of Holy Scripture. We can then discuss together the reasons why each specific passage has been so chosen. 10:1-4). The sixth lesson recounts the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites (Exodus 13:20-15:19). The Scriptures constitute a coherent whole because they all are Christ-centered. seeing Scripture as an integrated whole. the all-embracing end as well as the scattered beginnings. This sequence of lessons sets before us the whole scheme of sacred history. Such is the effect of reading Scripture ecclesially. as their selection for the feast of the Virgin Mary indicates. First among the lessons is Genesis 1:1-13. it is helpful to give one person the special task of noting whenever a particular passage in the Old or New Testament is used for a festival or a saint's day. because we have at our disposal so few Orthodox commentaries on Scripture available in English. Jacob's dream of a ladder set up from earth to heaven. He is as a "thread" that runs through all of Holy Scripture. Ezekiel 43:27-44:4. Matthew 12:40). let us look at the Old Testament lessons appointed for Vespers on the Feast of the Annunciation. Studying the Old Testament in this liturgical way and using the Fathers to help us. are all to be understood as prophecies concerning the Incarnation from the Virgin. Mary provides the house which Christ the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. But we need to see the unity as well as the diversity of Scripture. with the closed gate through which none but the Prince may pass. is far from easy to do in practice. guided by the use made of it at Church feasts.Our Orthodox manner of reading Scripture is in this way both liturgical and patristic. As an example of what it means to interpret Scripture in a liturgical way. Christians need to acquire a patristic mind.
In Bible study groups within our parishes. Much modern critical study of Scripture in the West has adopted an analytical approach. the prophet's vision of the Jerusalem sanctuary. with the prophet's three days in the belly of the whale foreshadowing Christ's Resurrection after three days in the tomb (cf. and most of the Western commentaries do not employ this liturgical and Patristic approach. This can often tell us more about the meaning of Scripture than any commentary. and the Bible is reduced to a series of bare primary units. the first part of the ancient Paschal Vigil. everywhere we uncover signposts pointing forward to the mystery of Christ and of His Mother. Proverbs 9:1-11: one of the great Sophianic passages in the Old Testament. Here we have no less than fifteen Old Testament lessons. supplying the flesh that God incarnate takes upon entering our human world." These texts in the Old Testament. And this. and the New in the light of the. Exploring in this manner the choice of lessons for the various feasts. Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:7. Old . They are three in number: Genesis 28:10-17. The connecting links are unraveled. One of the best ways of identifying correspondences between the Old and New Testaments is to use a good Biblical concordance. using for example the Biblical homilies of Saint John Chrysostom (which have been translated into English). Mary is Jacob's ladder. which anticipates the new Passover of Pascha whereby Christ passes over from death to life (cf. as we all realize. the account of Creation: Christ's Resurrection is a new Creation. while at the same time underlining the deeper meaning of Christ's Resurrection. then. Orthodoxy prefers on the whole a synthetic rather than an analytical approach. Salvation through the Messiah is their central and unifying topic.as the Church's calendar encourages us to do . Mary is the closed gate who alone among women bore a child while still remaining inviolate. once more a "type" or prophecy of Christ's rising from the tomb. we discover layers of Biblical interpretation that are by no means obvious on a first reading. 1:24) takes as his dwelling. We have already mentioned the way in which Christ may be seen foreshadowed on the pages of the Old Testament. Others in the group can be assigned to do homework among the Fathers. with Christ everywhere as the
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. Reading the Old Testament in the light of the New. beginning "Wisdom has built her house. breaking up each book into different sources. The final lesson is the story of the three Holy Children in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). in the Church and with the Church.
Take as another example Vespers on Holy Saturday. the Heart of the Bible THE THIRD ELEMENT in our reading of Scripture is that it should be Christ-centered. The fourth lesson is the book of Jonah in its entirety. from the first sentence to the last. There is certainly value in this.

feel how Christ felt during the forty days of His temptation in the wilderness." and so the Genesis account of Adam's fall is also a story about me. and take
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. on every page of Scripture. That is the fourth criterion in our Bible reading. and this we find in Jesus Christ. and me answering. are discerned throughout the Old Testament. I am Adam. and there is no other way. Drink from the well where He spoke with the Samaritan woman. "Where is thy brother?" The way to God lies through love of other people. sit alone on the rocks. wherever he looks. Why. sit in the dark under the ancient olives and look across the valley to the lights of the city. when he reads the Holy Scriptures.bond of union. He addresses each one by name. not as a scandal but as a blessing. Who is Cain? It is myself. and as such they are types or foreshadowings of Jesus Christ. too. Go down to the Dead Sea. Disowning my brother. I am to see all the stories in Scripture as part of my own personal story. But the real question is what God asks the Adam in each of us: "Where art thou?" When. the Old Passover foreshadows the New. who offered bread and wine to Abraham (Genesis 14:18). the history of God Incarnate in Palestine. and then to Mary and the Apostles. A notable example of this is Melchizedek. We see God intervening at specific times and in specific places. It all ties up. will apply everything to himself and not to his neighbor. 7:l). finds everywhere Christ. The Bible as Personal IN THE WORDS of an early ascetic writer in the Christian East. We are in this manner to savor all the uniqueness of God's action as recorded in Scripture. And God asks the Cain in each of us. to the exact places where Christ lived and taught. It is to me that God speaks when He says to Adam. and the "mighty works" after Pente-
cost. the priestking of Salem. This is the method of interpretation that we are to apply throughout the Bible. to Isaiah and the prophets. for instance. signs and symbols of His work. In reading Scripture. The person who loves the Bible loves details of dating and geography." "human. We see set before us the specific calls issued by God to Abraham.Christ speaking to me. we may take three steps. God's love is universal in scope." As Orthodox Christians we are to look everywhere in Scripture for a personal application. and who is seen as a type of Christ not only by the Fathers but even in the New Testament itself (Hebrews 5:6. as He enters into dialogue with individual persons. Go at night to the Garden of Gethsemane. Orthodoxy has an intense devotion to the Holy Land. Orthodoxy assigns particular significance to the "typological" method of interpretation. died and rose again. Israel's deliverance from Pharaoh at the Red Sea anticipates our deliverance from sin through the death and Resurrection of the Savior. "Where art thou?" (Genesis 3:9). to Rebekah and Ruth. in the story of Cain and Abel. A Biblical Christian is the one who. as we have seen. Walk where Christ walked. but He chooses to become Incarnate in a particular comer of the earth. "Where is Abel thy brother?" (Genesis 4:9). The history presented in the Bible is a personal history. not a philosophical theory. but a historical faith. at a particular time and from a particular Mother. whose innocent suffering upon the Cross the Church is at the point of celebrating. Experience to the full the reality of the historical setting. I replace the image of God with the mark of Cain. Moses and David. We see the selectivity of the divine action in history. the history of the chosen people. The Christianity that we find in the Bible is not an ideology. in the second half of Lent are the Old Testament readings from Genesis dominated by the figure of Joseph? Why in Holy Week do we read from the book of Job? Because Joseph and Job are innocent sufferers. "Where is God?" we often ask. First. Then we are to take a second step. Always we seek for the point of convergence between the Old Testament and the New. we read God's words to Cain. Another instance is the way in which. these words. Saint Mark the Monk: "He
who is humble in his thoughts and engaged in spiritual work. Who is Adam? The name Adam means "man. and deny my own vital humanity. An excellent way to enter more deeply into our Scripture reading is to undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Galilee. whereby "types" of Christ. are addressed to each of us. what we have in Scripture is sacred history: the history of the world from the Creation. We are to ask not just "What does it mean?" but "What does it mean to me?" Scripture is a personal dialogue between the Savior and myself .

The stories include me.
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. in this situation can I also be Christ? Reflecting likewise on the process of reconciliation . Imagining what both Peter and Jesus must have experienced at the moment immediately after the betrayal. It contains the New Testament and the Psalms with abundant commentary and other study aids. holding myself back. for example. am I able to accept the forgiveness of others am I able to forgive myself? Or am I timid. then. and have we not all known what it is to be betrayed.we ask ourselves: How Christ-like am I to those who have betrayed me? And. "All these places and events are not just far away and long ago. we enter into their feelings and make them our own." Betrayal. seeing how Peter on his side had the courage to accept this restoration . either good or bad? As the Desert Fathers say."
It is highly recommended that you obtain a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible. if he knows he has sinned and repents. is part of the personal story of everyone. Have we not all betrayed others at some time in our life. Reliving Biblical history in all its particularity. We are to say to ourselves. never ready to give myself fully to anything. we can see ourselves as actors in the story. after my own acts of betrayal. the account of Saint Peter's betrayal of Christ and of his restoration after the Resurrection. than a person who
has not sinned and thinks of himself as righteous. Then we are to take a third step. and does not the memory of these moments leave continuing scars on our psyche? Reading. This edition contains interpretations from an Orthodox perspective. mean. "Better someone who has sinned. we are to apply it directly to ourselves.seeing how the Risen Christ with a love utterly devoid of sentimentality restored the fallen Peter to fellowship.that experience back with you to your daily Scripture reading. but are also part of my own personal encounter with Christ. I am Peter.